Koforidua, July 25, GNA - Three persons have appeared before a Koforidua Circuit Court charged with causing harm and unlawful damage in a chieftaincy clash at Ankua-Dobro and Adoagyiri, near Nsawam. The accused persons, Samuel Affum, Anthony Kwaku Affum and Nana Ketewa, alias Gerhard Affum, who pleaded not guilty, have been granted 20 million cedis bail with a surety each and would reappear on August 14.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Theophilus Nyadu said there had been a protracted chieftaincy dispute between the chief of Ankua-Dobro, Nana Kwadwo Duodu and the Queenmother, Nana Awuah Amponsah, on one side against their Abusuapanyin (Head of Family) and his faction. He told the court that on October 10, 2001, during the celebration of their annual "Adae Bue" festival, supporters of the Abusuapanyin, led by Nana Ketewa, confronted the Chief and Queenmother and their entourage and allegedly denied them access to the palace to perform the festival rites.

The Prosecutor said the confrontation resulted in a violent clash between supporters of the two factions in which weapons including guns and missiles were used during which people from both sides sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said in the melee the Chief and the Queenmother escaped to Accra.

The Prosecutor said Samuel Affum, who was armed with a gun, later met a schoolboy in the chief's private house and taking him to be one of his supporters allegedly shot him. Shortly afterwards the accused also met the second victim, who was a visitor from Tema, and allegedly shot him.

Chief Inspector Nyadu said on the same day Nana Ketewa allegedly caused extensive damage to a taxi that was hired by Nana Duodu to the village.

In another development, 14 persons including the three accused persons were also charged with causing unlawful damage and stealing property including stool regalia valued at 99.6 million cedis belonging to Nana Duodo and Nana Amponsah.

The Prosecution said the offence was committed at Ankua Dobro on October 13, 2001, when the accused persons led armed supporters of the Abusuapanyin to storm the palace and homes of the two chiefs in connection with the chieftaincy dispute.

The three accused persons and Seth Atta, who appeared before the court, were also granted 20 million cedis bail with two sureties each until August 14.