Seven individuals who attacked a police officer in Kumawu have been granted bail by the Effiduase District Court in the Ashanti Region.
A viral video of the incident showed the people fighting with a uniformed police officer who was carrying a weapon.
On Tuesday, the Effiduase District Court heard the cases against Edward Boateng, Evans Addo, Yaw Kusi, Michael Owusu, Yaw Boateng, and Emmanuel Mensah.
The second suspect, Thomas Kusi, is being treated at the hospital for injuries he acquired during the altercation while one other suspect is on the run.
Thomas Kusi totals the seven people who were granted bail.
In a statement, the police said that the suspects, who were traveling in an overcrowded taxi, fought with them after being detained at a checkpoint close to Kumawu.
Assault on a public official, conspiracy to commit a crime, and aiding and abetting were the charges levied by the police against the suspects.
In order to give the police enough time to finish their investigations, the prosecutors asked with the court to remand the accused people.
If they were given bail, the police insisted, they might meddle with ongoing investigations.
Henry Ohemeng Kumi, the defense attorney for the accused, requested that the court allow his clients’ release because they pose no flight danger and will contact the police if necessary.
The allegations against his client were misdemeanors, he said, and all offenses may be released on bail.
Before giving bail to the defendants, the presiding judge, His Worship Frank Nii Ashittey Addo, spoke to the court and noted that situations when individuals attacked public officials were troubling and a threat to national security.
He added that if the accused are determined to be guilty after additional inquiry, he will make sure they face the law.
He said that although the accused’s actions were deplorable, they were nevertheless entitled to some freedom and liberty under the constitution.
He set one surety at GHC 10,000 for each of the seven accused. Following the hearings, relatives of the defendants crowded the court and contested the information provided by the police.
The lawsuit was postponed until April 28, 2023.
