Three persons who allegedly assaulted a prison officer during the recent Voter Exhibition Exercise at Adenta, have appeared before an Adentan Circuit Court.
Emmanuel Atitso, 20, Innocent Owusu, 18, and Godsway Lumorvi, 21, all students, have pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault.
The Court presided over by Angela Attachie admitted them to bail in the sum of GH¢60,000 with two sureties to be justified.
Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo told the Court that the complainant was Second Class Officer Nartey Stephen of the Ghana Prison Service, stationed at Roman Ridge in Accra.
Chief Inspector Lanyo said Atitso was a student at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Accra, an old student at West African Senior High School (WASS) and a former member of school (WASS) Cadet Corps.
The prosecution said Owusu, the second accused person, is a band trainer for the School Cadet Corps band and Lumorvi, the third accused person, was an old student of WASS.
The Court heard that the complainant was detailed for duty during the Voter Exhibition Exercise at WASS from Tuesday, August 8 to 27, 2024.
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at about 4:00 pm, the complainant and his colleagues stood about 70 meters away from the exhibition centre, observing the school cadet rehearsal.
The prosecution said suddenly the complainant started coughing as a result of a substance sprayed in the air indiscriminately.
The Prosecution said the complainant looked around to find out where the substance was coming from.
The Court heard that the complainant noticed Atitso was holding pepper spray demonstrating it on a 10-year-old boy who was standing by him.
Chief Inspector Lanyo said the complainant confronted Atitso to collect the said pepper spray from him, but he resisted and punched the complainant in the face.
The Prosecution said two of the complainant’s colleague officers who were on duty with him calmed the situation.
However, the prosecution said Owusu, Lumorvi and others in the Cadet Corp, assisted Atitso in “overpowering” the complainant and his colleagues.
In the process, Owusu also punched the complainant and aided Atitso in absconding from the scene.
Prosecution said Lumorvi also picked up a stick and with the help of Owusu and some students, attacked the other officers on duty.
The prosecution said the Adenta Police Patrol Team were called to the scene and apprehended Owusu and Lumorvi.
Later, the prosecution said Atitso was nabbed by the Police.
GNA