An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced 10 persons, including a Journalist, to a fine of 12,000 cedis each for not complying with the COVID-19 restriction orders. In default they would each serve a four-year-jail term.
The convicts were arrested for demonstrating near the private residence of President Akufo-Addo on the 5th of last month.
They are Yahaya Alhassan, journalist, Bassarou Moaro, car washing assistant, Alhassan Arafat, driver’s mate, Abdul Gafa, head porter, Emmanuel Anim, construction labourer, Mohammed Nazif, trader, Issaka Mutakiru, driver’s mate, Zakari Salisu, head porter, Abdulai Yahaya, and Mohammed Amin, both unemployed.
They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, failure to notify the police of the event contrary to Section 1(1) of the Public Order Act, and failure to comply with the restrictions imposed on public gathering contrary to the Imposition of the Restrictions Act. Police Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the Court, presided over by Mrs Susana Eduful, that the Accra Regional Police Command received information on May 4, 2020 that some people were planning to demonstrate near the private residence of President Akufo-Addo the next day.
He said on May 5, the Police were on standby to avert any possible breach of the Law.
Inspector Ahiabor said when the demonstration was on-going, the police managed to arrest only the 10 while the rest bolted
