Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 21 February 2006

Source: GNA

Seven brothers before court

Aflao, Feb. 21, GNA - Seven brothers who allegedly demolished an uncompleted building to create space for their father's funeral appeared before an Aflao Circuit Court on Monday.

They pleaded not guilty to unlawful damage and were granted 10 million cedis bail each to re-appear on March 10.

The accused persons were, Promise Adjetey, 44,a Revenue Collector, Frank Adjetey, 26, Billy Adjetey, 29, Jim Adjetey, 27, Dakpahu Dartey, 45, Ahundor Morris, 23, and Dogbeda Akama, 27, all unemployed. Police Chief Inspector Kofi Frimpong told the Court presided over by Group-Captain Martin Obeng-Ntim (Rtd) that the complainant, Mr Mikesokpor Akakpo had a building near that of the accused persons at Aflao-Avoeme, bequeathed to him (complainant) by his father. He said when father of the accused persons died in June last year, they approached the complainant and requested him to pull down his building to give the accused persons space to host sympathizers expected at the funeral.

Police Chief Inspector Frimpong said complainant rejected request of the accused persons but they sought the intervention of the Aflao Urban Council.

He said the council advised that due to some cracks in the walls of the building it should either be rehabilitated or demolished to prevent any disaster.

The prosecution said the complainant mobilized materials and artisans to rehabilitate the building. He said while the artisans were working, the accused persons armed with dangerous implements attacked them and demolished the building.