Seven men accused of operating as land guards and unlawfully possessing firearms have been granted bail by the High Court in Accra after multiple unsuccessful attempts at the Circuit Court.
Her Ladyship Justice Mary M.E. Yanzuh who presided over the case at the High Court ordered the release of the accused — Iddrisu Osumanu alias Nii Ayi, Seth Borketey Bortei, Carlos Okoh, Gabreel Nabil, Samuel Mantse, Edmond Sowali Ablor, and Laryea Ablor — on bail in sum of GH¢100,000 each with two sureties to be justified.
The sureties are required to deposit copies of their nationally recognized ID cards at the court registry, and all the accused must report to the police investigator handling the case once a month until the trial concludes.
The accused were arrested on January 24, 2025, at Ashongman in the Greater Accra Region.
According to the prosecution, they allegedly organized themselves as land guards and were intercepted by police while armed with a locally manufactured pistol loaded with four rounds of Cal 36 cartridges, an XDM pistol with 20 rounds of .45mm auto ammunition, and two sledgehammers.
Their alleged intention was to protect a property at Ashongman Estate and possibly cause damage.
Charges
The first count against all seven men is preparation to commit prohibited activities of land guards, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 7(3) of the Vigilantism Act, 2019 (Act 999).
Additionally, Seth Borketey Bortei faces two separate charges. On the second count, he is charged with possession of firearms without lawful authority, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Arms and Ammunition Decree, 1972 (NRCD 9), for allegedly having a locally manufactured pistol in his possession.
The third count accuses him of possession of ammunition without lawful authority, for allegedly being found with four live Cal 36 cartridges.
The accused were initially denied bail at the Circuit Court, prompting their legal team, led by Andrew K. Vortia, to seek bail at the High Court. The state, represented by Ernest Appiah, did not oppose the bail application.
Background
The prosecution led by ASP Emmanuel Haligah revealed to the court that, the Complainants are Police Officers stationed at the Surveillance Unit of the National Operations Directorate, Accra.
The accused persons: Iddrisu Osumanu @ Nii Ayi, Seth Borketey Bortel, Carlos Okoh, Samuel Mantse, Edmond Sowah Ablor, Laryea Ablor and Gebreel Nabil are members of a Vigilante group based in Ashongman.
The court heard that On 25 January 2025, about 2:00am the Tango 60 Patrol team whilst on night patrol arrested accused person Iddrisu Osumanu @ Niĩ Ayi who was on Police wanted list on board a motorbike with registration No. M- 24-0G at Ashongman.
The accused person attempted to flee but the police team managed to arrest him, and a search conducted on him revealed; one XDM pistol with serial number MG615374 plus two magazines loaded with twenty (20) rounds of 45mm ammunition.
On interrogation, accused Iddrisu Osumanu @ Nii Ayi told the Police that he was leading a gang to cause demolition at Ashongman on a property he claimed was owned by one Nana Boahen.
The Police team proceeded to another area at Ashongman and intercepted two taxi cabs with registration numbers; GS 6201-20 and GE 7460-17 being driven by Ebenezer Morrison and Jonathan Senam Keteku who are witnesses in this case with the remaining accused persons on board.
A search conducted it the taxi cabs revealed; one locally manufactured pistol with four (4) Cal 36 cartridges on accused person Seth Borketey Bortei, a jack knife, two (2) mull hammers, one (1) matchet, one (1) face mask, six (6) hand gloves, six (6) electrical cables and a talisman.
The accused persons were immediately arrested and brought to the CID Headquarters for investigation.
During interrogations the accused persons admitted being recruited by accused person Iddrisu Osumanu alias Nii Ayi to undertake demolition at Ashongman.The accused persons were charged and arraigned before this honourable court.
