Accra, Jan 22. GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of four persons for failing to be in court to face the charge of causing damage to the property of Mr Daniel Addoquaye, a resident of Akpormang in the Greater Accra Region. The accused persons were said to have destroyed cement blocks worth about 1.2 million cedis belonging to the complainant.

The four, Nortey Kumi, Quashie Sowah, Obeng Aryitey and Ashwelen were among a group of eight persons served with criminal summons to appear before the court.

Mrs Elizabeth Ankuman, the Presiding Judge, granted bail to four accomplices, who appeared.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful destruction of property.

The four are Nicholas Norteye Dowuona, Obodai Gargba, Larkai Odartey and Odiko. They are to reappear on February 19.

Police Chief Inspector George Abavelim told the court that there was a long standing land dispute between the complainant and the accused persons and Justice Mr E.K Ayebi, High Court Judge dismissed the suit filed by Ebenezer Narku Okwei against the complainant on March 18, 2003. Chief Inspector Abavelim said Mr Addoquaye sent two witnesses to the site where he had moulded quantity of cement blocks. He said the witnesses returned to inform him that the blocks had been destroyed.

The Prosecutor said the complainant conducted investigations and found out that the eight persons caused the destruction and made a report to the Police.

He said on October 10, 2003, the accused persons were invited by the Police but their counsel called and pleaded with the Police to give him time to enable him to produce the accused persons but he failed to honour the promise until January 16, 2004, when the accused persons were served with the criminal summons to appear before court.