Court denies bail for 5 suspects in Kwabenya cell-break trial

The Accra Circuit Court has rejected a bail application filed by lawyers for five individuals who are alleged to have aided seven inmates to escape from the Kwabenya Police Station.

Lawyers for Nancy Dentaa, Prince Kofi Acheampong, Edward Lartey, Elvis Owusu and Theophilus Bandah had argued that the facts of the case did not support the charge of abetment to escape from lawful custody levelled against their clients.

They also said their clients, when granted bail, would always avail themselves to stand trial and that they also had people of substance to stand surety for them.

Bail rejected

But, in a ruling on Monday, the presiding judge, Mr Aboagye Tandoh, refused to grant them bail and rather remanded them in police custody.

According to him, based on the present circumstance of the case, it would not be prudent to grant the accused bail. He rather ordered an expeditious trial.

He, consequently, fixed March 9, 12, 14 and 15, 2018 as the subsequent dates for the trial and ordered the prosecution to ensure that all was set for the trial.

“Any excuse that will delay the trial will not be tolerated,” Mr Tandoh said.

Alleged accomplices

The five alleged accomplices were part of a group of nine people suspected to have played various roles that aided the inmates of the Kwabenya Police Station to escape.

The rest are George Yeboah, Kofi Seshie, George Sarbah and George Asante.

Those before the court have pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment to escape from lawful custody.

Meanwhile, two of the cell breakers have already been sentenced to a total of five years’ imprisonment for the action.

Prince Osei and Atta Kwadwo were slapped with two-and-a-half-year jail term each for conspiracy to escape from lawful custody and escaping from lawful custody.

That was after they had pleaded guilty to the two charges.

One of the alleged escapees, Kofi Darko, who is also standing trial, has, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to escape from lawful custody and escaping from lawful custody.

Cell break

On January 21, 2018, seven inmates of the Kwabenya Police Station cell escaped from custody through a cell break carried out by six armed men.

The cell break led to the death of a police officer at the station, Inspector Emmanuel Ashilevi.

Chibuzor Akwubu, Emmanuel Kotey, Rockson Edem Dzigbede and Dickson Ofori, the other alleged cell breakers, are still on the run.