6 Menzgold customers in court

Six customers of the embattled gold firm, Menzgold, who were among those who defied police orders and went on a demonstration on Tuesday have been arraigned before the Asokore Mampong District Court.

The six, who were charged for failing to notify the police of a special event, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail in the sum of GH¢5,000 each.

Accused

The accused persons are Eric Kwakye, an automobile mechanic; Vivian Adjei, unemployed; James Abubakar, a farmer; Arnold Tamakloe, a teacher; Adams Osuman, unemployed, and Kofi Agyarko, also unemployed.

A bench warrant has been issued for the seventh person, Jephater Agyemang, who failed to attend upon the court.

Facts

Presenting the facts of the case, Inspector Edward Kwame Adade told the court, presided over by Mrs Portia M. O. Salia, that last Tuesday the accused together with other customers of Menzgold converged on Amakom in Kumasi with placards and photographs of the President and that of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah.

He said the accused, together with the others, blocked the main Adum-Anloga junction road by burning car tyres at the Amakom traffic lights.

According to Inspector Adade, the accused were demonstrating against the government and demanding their investment which had been locked up with Menzgold.

Arrest

Insp.  Adade said the police proceeded to the scene to stop them because they failed to notify the service about their intended demonstration in accordance with the Public Order Act.

He explained that the police first appealed to the accused who were the leaders of the group to stop the demonstration because they did not follow the right procedure.

However, he said, all appeals to them to call off the demonstration fell on deaf ears. Rather, they mobilised other members of the group and were moving towards Manhyia.

He said it was at that juncture that the police arrested them.

The case has been adjourned to January 22, 2019.