A team of workers from the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly of the Bono Region, carrying out a demolition exercise – knocking down and removing makeshift structures illegally erected at the Fiapre-Zongo, have been taken through hell as they were set upon and severely beaten by some of the residents of the area.
The team, which was led by Gifty Nyarko Karikari, a physical development planner, had gone to the place to clear illegal structures, to make way for the construction of a road.
The attack was engineered by a 75-year old retired civil servant, John Akan. John Akan and four others – Godwin Awuni, aged 22, Lydia, Akawali, 36, Patrick Anyorigiya, 21, and Eunice Akan, have since been arrested by the police to face the law.
The five have already appeared before the Fiapre Circuit Court to answer criminal charges of assault, causing harm, obstruction, using insults and abusive language.
Police Inspector Emmanuel Sampson told the court that the officers of the assembly were carrying out their lawful duties of removing unauthorized structures to make way for road works, when they were verbally and physically attacked, leaving some of them hurt, and prevented from performing their job.
The circuit court presided over by Rita Amoanimaa Adusa convicted and sentenced four of the accused persons to a total fine of Ghs10,800.00. John Akan, who masterminded the attack, was sentenced to a fine of Ghs7,200.00 and if he should fail to pay the money, he would serve a jail term of one year, in hard labour.
Godwin Awuni, Lydia Akawali and Patrick Anyorigiya were each ordered to pay a fine of Ghs1,200.00 or in default spend one month in prison.
Eunice Akan was, however, freed by the circuit court because the prosecution could not lead any evidence to connect her to the attack.
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