An activist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mohammed Bashiru, alias Red, who allegedly fired warning shots at a registration centre in Tamale, has been remanded in prison custody by the Tamale Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Mohammed Nabong.

Bashiru was charged with possessing an offensive weapon and displaying offensive conduct.

He is to re-appear before the court on April 6, this year. The suspect pleaded not guilty to both charges. Narrating the facts of the matter, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Sampana, said the suspect, on March 18, went to the United Primary School registration centre possessing a firearm in a prohibited area, with the intention to provoke and breach the peace in the area.

He said Bashiru behaved in a manner that was likely to breach the progress of work and the peace at that centre when he fired three rounds of ammunition into the air. In his comments, the judge explained that he refused to grant bail to the suspect for fear that he might hump bail, arguing that it had been difficult arresting him in the first place.

A group of people believed to be NPP supporters, who had gathered outside the court, expressed their disapproval at the ruling and attempted blocking the way of the vehicle that was carrying the suspect to prison.