Seventy-seven people arrested in connection with the November 5 disturbances at the Ehi Police Station have been remanded into two weeks’ custody by the Ho Magistrate Court 1.
The group, made up of men and women from the area, has been charged with offences including causing unlawful damage, causing harm and rioting with weapons.
During Friday’s hearing, lawyers for the first batch of 39 accused persons, led by Joan Akorfa Osei, argued that their clients remain presumed innocent and questioned the prosecution’s claim that all the suspects were captured on video taking part in the unrest.
She said the incident appeared to be a large, chaotic mass action during which several people who were not involved may have been swept up in the arrests.
Counsel for the remaining accused persons, Benedict Kofitse, also applied for bail, arguing that even if investigators possessed video evidence, the release of the suspects would not hinder the ongoing inquiry.
Both sets of defence lawyers insisted that the accused have fixed places of abode and would appear when required.
But prosecutors opposed the applications, insisting the suspects be kept in custody to allow investigators more time to gather evidence, verify identities and take further statements.
They argued that given the magnitude of the disturbances, releasing the suspects at this stage could compromise the investigation.
The presiding magistrate, Albert Annor Owusu, agreed with the prosecution and ruled that granting bail would be premature.
He ordered all seventy-seven suspects to be remanded for fourteen days and adjourned the case to 27 November.
The disturbances at the Ehi Police Station, which involved clashes between residents and security personnel, remain under investigation as authorities work to restore calm and determine the full circumstances leading to the unrest.
