The Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit, has granted bail to three individuals facing charges of conspiracy, failure to notify the police of a special event, and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace.
The accused—Emmanuel Obeng Addo, alias Nii Ayi I (67), Richard Suzey, alias Asafoatse Ankrah I (35), and Edward Ocanta, alias Asafoatse Quarshie (40)—pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Monday, December 16, 2024, the court granted each of them bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties.
The court directed that the sureties must be public servants residing within its jurisdiction and earning a minimum monthly salary of GH¢1,000.
The accused are also required to report to the police every two weeks until further notice.
The case has been referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for possible settlement, with proceedings scheduled for review on February 2, 2025.
The court urged all parties to maintain decorum throughout the resolution process.
Brief Facts
The Complainants, Naa Abrafi I, the Queen Mother of MayeraFaase and the Amasaman Divisional Police Command, alleged that the accused have been at the center of a protracted chieftaincy and land dispute in MayeraFaase.
Naa Abrafi I, who has served as Queen Mother for 29 years and is recognized by the National House of Chiefs, has been working to install a new chief following the death of the former leader in May 2023.
However, the accused, who do not recognize her authority, have reportedly acted to undermine her legitimacy.
On November 22, 2024 during the funeral of the Queen mother’s late mother, the accused and their supporters reportedly stormed the event.
Armed with guns and chanting war songs, they declared themselves as the new family heads and Asafoatse for Mayera Faase.
Their actions caused dignitaries to flee the funeral grounds.
The accused were allegedly carried on the shoulders of their supporters in a symbolic installation ceremony.
The police responded to the disturbance, but the group managed to escape and completed the installation ceremony at Otubruhum Dadebanaa, Accra. Videos of the event were later circulated on social media.
Emmanuel Obeng Addo was arrested on November 24, 2024, upon returning to MayeraFaase. Richard Suzey and Edward Ocanta were later apprehended and brought to the police.
During investigations, the accused admitted to failing to notify the police about the installation ceremony.
While Emmanuel Obeng Addo admitted to challenging the complainant’s legitimacy as Queen Mother, the other two accused claimed they were unaware that notifying the police was required for their actions.
