The Attorney General (AG) has dropped the Delta Force case involving eight members of the vigilante group. The accused persons were charged for allegedly facilitating the escape of the 13 members of the Delta Force from the Kumasi Circuit Court on April 6, 2017, when the latter were standing trial for an attack on the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.
The eight accused members of pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) vigilante group have been discharged by the Kumasi Circuit Court Two due to lack of evidence. Judge Patricia Amponsah freed the accused persons, following the Attorney General’s claim that it has no evidence to prosecute.
According to Graphic Online’s Donald Ato Dapatem who was in court when the Delta Force case was called Wednesday morning, the prosecution informed the Kumasi Circuit Court that the Attorney General’s Department has advised the police to drop the charges against the eight accused persons. The Presiding Judge Patricia Amponsah who was convinced by the claim by the AG, therefore ruled that all the eight be discharged.
The eight were remanded into prison custody on April 10, 2017 when they appeared in court for the first time to answer two counts of charges: disturbances of court as evoked under Section 223 of the Criminal Code of 1960 and resisting arrest and rescue as evoked under Section 226 of the Criminal Code.
They however, pleaded not guilty to the offences and their lawyer, Gary Nimako, argued against their alleged knowledge in the said charges. They were later granted bail to reappear on April 18. But ACP Okyere Darko prayed the Court to allow the Attorney General study the docket and advise accordingly.
In the last hearing on April 18, prosecutor ACP Darko upon the advice of the Attorney General prayed the Court for adjournment to enable the AG study the docket. The application was granted by Justice Amponsah, who set May 17 for hearing.
The Delta Force case erupted on Friday, March 24, 2017 when about 200 members of the vigilante group reportedly stormed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to stop Mr. George Adjei from performing his duties; citing that they cannot work with him because he is not a native of the region.
Following the intervention by the National Executive Council of the New Patriotic Party after the attack, the group apologized to President Akufo-Addo, pledging its support to the Regional Security Coordinator. The President subsequently summoned the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, to answer to the circumstances that led to the raid.
However, the pro-NPP vigilante group launched and even more ignoble attack on Thursday, 6th March, when some of their members stormed the Kumasi Circuit Court, and let loose 13 of their members who were detained in connection with the previous raid at the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator’s office.
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