Youth Mob Storms Kwame Danso Court
A violent mob stormed the Kwame Danso District Court in the Bono East Region on Thursday, December 11, disrupting proceedings and forcibly freeing three accused persons who had been remanded into police custody.
The incident, which resulted in the vandalism of court property, has been met with strong condemnation from the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG). The association is urgently calling for the temporary closure of the court facility until adequate security measures are put in place.
According to reports from the Kumasi Mail, tensions began building around 8:00 a.m. when a large group of young people gathered at the Kwame Danso Police Station to protest the remand of the three suspects in the case of The Republic v. Isaac Kwabena Mintah & 2 Others.
The suspects were facing charges of causing unlawful damage, stealing, and assault, as outlined in the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). Following the court’s decision to remand them, the protesting crowd marched to the court premises.
While the court was still in session, the mob forcibly entered the building, causing chaos by chasing away staff and litigants. They proceeded to damage furniture and equipment before successfully freeing the three accused individuals.
Court staff were forced to seek safety by locking themselves in offices as the youth attempted to gain access to the magistrate’s chambers. The situation was eventually brought under control with the arrival of police reinforcements from Atebubu.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident. However, court staff are said to be deeply traumatised by the ordeal.
In a statement released today, JUSAG condemned the attack, describing it as a worrying trend of assaults on judicial institutions in the area. “This is a disturbing development and we cannot allow our staff to continue to work under such threats,” a JUSAG spokesperson reportedly stated.
The association has appealed to the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to temporarily shut down the court until sufficient protection is provided. They have also directed their members at the Kwame Danso court to abstain from work until their safety is guaranteed and have urged the Inspector General of Police to swiftly arrest and prosecute all those involved.
JUSAG extended its sympathy to the affected staff, security personnel, and litigants.
Police investigations into the attack and the escape of the three suspects are currently underway.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
