Kumasi: Three charged for assaulting fire officers

A circuit court at Kwadaso in Kumasi has remanded three suspects into police custody, for allegedly assaulting personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) who were battling a massive blaze at the Racecourse Market at Bantama on Monday (11 March).

The accused persons, Akongoli Adoko aged 18, Solomon Anaba 18 and 21-year-old Lamamia Ishmael, all labourers, were charged with conspiracy and assault on a public officer.

This legal action comes in the aftermath of the attack, which resulted in severe injuries to one of the fire crew members. Although the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) had disclosed the arrest of five individuals in connection with the attack, three appeared in Court on Tuesday.

Making their first appearance in court the facts of the case were reserved pending further police investigations.  Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jonas Newlove Adjei prosecuting prayed the court to remand the suspects to advance police investigations into the matter.

He argued that the accused were squatters with no fixed place of abode and could interfere in investigations if granted bail. The court presided over by His Honor Stephen Kumi granted the request and remanded the suspects into custody to reappear on 26 March 2024.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the cause of Monday’s fire that affected over 180 mini-shops at the trading hub. Member of Parliament for the area Francis Asenso Boakye wants authorities to inspect electrical installations at the market to avert such avoidable disasters.

Source: Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Radio