By Mudasiru Abdul Yakeen, Akropong
The Akropong circuit court, presided over by Arrit Nsemboh, has sentenced four Akuapem chiefs to a total sum of Gh¢48,576 for defying the ban on public gatherings. The four are to pay GH¢12,144 each to the state or in default serve four years’ jail term.
They are Odehye Kofi Asiedu Adu-Mfum, Nana Semeshia Ohene Asah Krofah II, Ohene Nana Bennet Smith Opoku and Nana Odi Asempa Krobea Asante.
Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Lukeman Sulemana said the four defendants acted contrary to Paragraph 1, Sub-section A of the Executive Instrument 64 and Section Six of the Restriction of Imposition Act 2020.
Arrest
The kingmakers of Akuapem, on Friday, May 1, installed a new chief after the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs rejected and nullified the installation of one Odehye Kwasi Akuffu as the Akuapemhene.
The installation of the new paramount chief led to wild jubilation by the people of Okuapeman who took to the streets of Akropong as the new Akuapemhene, guarded by state security personnel, was being outdoored.
The large numbers of people that accompanied the ceremony undermined the President’s social distancing directives aimed at containing the new coronavirus pandemic. The chiefs were later arrested and arraigned before the Akropong circuit court for leading the process.
