By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

A high court in Ho presided over by Justice Eric Baah on Thursday, remanded into police custody 5 members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Krachi West Constituency of the Oti Region.

The suspects, Sarfo Sunkwa  aged 40,  Mathias Banyalenso, 48, Tijani Shaibu, 36, Muntala Yakubu, 36 and Amos Nseikor Lante, 36 were charged on 3 counts of unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage and rioting with weapons.

Prosecuting, Chief Supt, Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo Esq. told the court that on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at about 11:00am, the accused entered the office of the complainant, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Krachi West, Douglas Osei-Nti, molested and harassed him without provocation.

READ ALSO: Angry NPP Youth Drag Krachi West DCE from Office

Chief Supt Akolgo said the “accused marched the complainant into a riotous group members of the party with cutlasses, stones, metals, sticks and other weapons” and was leading him towards the police station direction where the police intervened for his safety.

He further said the accused later locked up the DCE’s office with nails and wood causing damage to the office building.

Lawyer for the accused, Ernest Gaewu pleaded that his clients be granted bail on the grounds that they were not involved in any violent act except to intervene and take the DCE to the police for safety.

The Judge however, refused the plea and said if the accused were not part of the agitating youth, then it would be necessary for them to be kept safe by the state from the alleged lawless youth.

The five are to reappear on June 11, 2019.

Meanwhile, the Police Administration in a release earlier in the day on the arrest of the five for forcibly ejecting the DCE from his office, cautioned the general public especially the youth, “to use lawful or laid down procedures to address grievances.”

The release signed by the Director-General, Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Senanu Eklu warned that “any individual or groups of persons who engage in acts of lawlessness or criminality will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted” while assuring adequate police security for all well-meaning citizens and residents of the country.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com