The Ghana Police Service has reviewed the number of suspects linked to the disturbances at the Krobea Asante Technical Institute from 40 to 39.
The accused persons made their first appearance at the Asokore Mampong District Court presided over by H/W Samuel Buabin Quansah on Tuesday, January 24.
They have been slapped with provisional charges of conspiracy to committing crime to wit rioting, causing unlawful damage and stealing.
A push for bail by lawyers for the accused persons was not granted by the court after Prosecution vehemently opposed the application.
“Having listened to the facts as narrated by the prosecution as well as the narrative of the counsel for for the accused persons, I am of the view that the prayer to admit the accused persons to bail is premature”, the judge said after nearly an hour of heated arguments between counsels for the suspects and the prosecution.
“Even as at now the prosecution has not flouted the 48 hour [period], they are within time. In any case granted that most of the accused persons are children/juveniles they are not absolved from sanctions or may be caught on the wrong side of the law. This court also takes judicial notice of the current unrest culminating into demonstrations, rioting and destruction of properties on some frivolous grounds”.
“Consequently the prayer to admit the suspects/juveniles to bail is refused”, he further ruled.
The suspects — some of whom are juveniles were remanded into a correctional home while other young offenders will remain in police custody.
But their lawyers said they are not disappointed. When asked for comments the lead counsel Kwabena Gyamfi said, “we did our best but we respect the judge’s ruling”.
The case has been adjourned to February 2.
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