- Officers missed their court appearance for the second time
- The officers face charges of unlawful entry and theft
- The court rejected the defense’s request to refer the case to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The Koforidua Circuit Court ‘B’ has instructed the Attorney General’s office to facilitate the release of two officers from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces for criminal prosecution.
The officers, Nana Okyempem Adu VIII, a police officer, and WOI Michael Opare Appiah, a military officer, missed their court appearance for the second time on Monday, August 12. They are now required to attend court on September 16, 2024.
Alongside these officers, five other individuals—Nana Owusu Ntow, 50, a businessman; Samuel Kwasi Annor, 58, a driver; Ernest Yaw Acheampong Attuah, 47, a carpenter; Yaw Odame, 52, a farmer; and Daniel Ayesu Kumi, 70, a businessman—are facing charges of unlawful entry and theft. The allegations involve the theft of a Black Stool and other royal items from the Anum Traditional Area.
The charges stem from an incident last year when the accused allegedly broke into the residence of Gyasewahene, Nana Odame Osafo II, stealing the Black Stool, royal regalia, and two kente cloths valued at GH¢5,800.
During the initial hearing on July 30, 2024, only three of the accused—Samuel Kwasi Annor, Ernest Yaw Acheampong Attuah, and Yaw Odame—were present. They were granted bail of GH¢50,000 each, required to provide two sureties, Ghana cards, and sign a justification form.
On August 12, Nana Owusu Ntow joined the other three in court and was granted similar bail conditions, with the addition of submitting his passport.
The court declined the defense’s request to refer the case to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), agreeing with the prosecution that the charges, a second-degree felony, are inappropriate for ADR.
