Nkawie (Ash), Oct.11, GNA-The Nkawie circuit court has remanded a 25 year old unemployed man in prison custody for causing harm, causing road obstruction, extorting money from drivers and offensive conduct. Appiah Dankwah, the culprit described by the police as a notorious criminal, pleaded not guilty to the charges and will re-appear on October 11, 2005.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Gabienu told the court, presided over by Mr Noble Nkrumah that on August 25, this year, Pastor Samuel Bonsu, stationed at Obuasi went to the Atwima Boaso stool house to pray for peace in respect of a chieftaincy dispute in the town. He said the accused and three others now at large met the Pastor praying at the palace and without any provocation or reason pounced on him and stoned him, inflicting serious cuts on him in the process. ASP Gabienu said the accused and his accomplices later blocked the Atwima-Agogo-Abuakwa road and extorted money from some drivers. He said a report was made to the Abuakwa police who rushed there but on seeing the police, they took to their heels but they managed to arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, the court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the accomplices of the accused, but their names were being withheld for security reasons.