Case of man who wrecked Big Six statues postponed

The Circuit Court in Kwabenya has postponed Newwel Gavu’s case to September 18, 2024, following a request from the Attorney General.

This extension allows time for the filing of Gavu’s mental evaluation results. Gavu faces charges related to vandalism after a video showed him damaging the effigies of the Big Six at the Kotoka International Airport roundabout.

The court ordered a mental examination on September 2, 2024, but the results had not been submitted when the case was called at 8:32 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

According to reports from Citinews, the state attorney, Natalie Korkor Hammond, addressed the court in the absence of the investigator, indicating that the decision to proceed with prosecution hinges on the mental assessment results.

“We hope to move forward with prosecution once we receive the results. He behaved unusually during his last court appearance, prompting the judge to request a psychiatric evaluation before making any decisions,”Hammond explained.

Gavu’s arrest occurred on Saturday, August 31, 2024, after he was seen vandalizing the busts of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and other members of the Big Six at the airport roundabout.

The motive behind his actions remains unclear. Following the incident, the Ghana Airport Company Limited has begun efforts to replace the damaged monuments.

The Ghana Police Service commended members of the public and the Airport security for their vigilance which led to the arrest of the suspect.

The Big Six monument honors leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), a political party established in 1947 by J.B. Danquah to advocate for self-government. The honored leaders are Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, J.B. Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, William Ofori Atta, and Kwame Nkrumah. They were detained by colonial authorities in 1948 following disturbances that led to the deaths of three World War II veterans.