An Accra Circuit Court has convicted eight individuals for assaulting former Minister for Fisheries, Mavis Hawa Koomson, and two others during the Ablekuma North constituency rerun at 19 polling stations several months ago.
The convicts also assaulted the Deputy National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Lloyd Nii Kwei, and a trader from Alajo Market, Majeed Mohammed Saana. Saana pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to assault and three counts of assault.
The convicts are Jijani Mohammed, a bus driver from Maamobi; Dzakpasu Prince, a businessman from Accra Newtown; Anas Mohammed, an estate developer; Mohammed Hamda, a mechanic; Otibu Samuel, a businessman; Muntari Musah, a station manager; Ali Saaed, a businessman; and Ali Mohammed Abubakar, a private security officer.
After their convictions, the court, presided over by Justice Isaac Addo, deferred their sentences to August 29.
In a related development, the eight individuals have been admitted to bail with each required to pay GH₵80,000 with one surety.
The judge’s decision comes amid calls from well-meaning organisations and Ghanaians for harsher punishments for election-related violence in the country.
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Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
