The Ho Magistrate Court 1 has remanded all 77 accused persons arrested in connection with the November 5 disturbances at the Ehi Police Station, after they were charged with causing unlawful damage, causing harm, and rioting with weapons.
During proceedings, Joan Akorfa Osei Esq., counsel for the first 39 accused, argued that her clients are presumed innocent until proven guilty or until they choose to admit otherwise.
She described the prosecution’s claim that the accused were captured on video committing the alleged acts as unfounded, insisting that the arrests appeared more like a class action, with several uninvolved individuals swept up in the process.
Counsel prayed the court to grant bail, noting that all the accused are residents of Ehi, many of whom are farmers, menial workers, married, and parents with dependents, describing them as victims of circumstance.
Benedict Kofitse, counsel for accused persons 40 to 77, also urged the court to grant bail, arguing that even if video evidence exists, releasing the accused would not interfere with ongoing investigations.
Prosecutors opposed the bail request, asking the court to restrain the accused for two weeks to allow investigators to continue their work, emphasising that prosecution is a process, not a single event.
After hearing submissions from both sides, His Worship Albert Annor Owusu, the presiding Magistrate, ruled that granting bail at this stage would be premature. The court therefore ordered that all accused be remanded in custody for 14 days. The case has been adjourned to November 27 for the continuation of investigations.
