Court begins hearing case against George Arthur, 16 others
Warrant for George Arthur, eight BA supporters
Court begins hearing case against George Arthur, 16 others
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo)
Eight
of the accused persons who were in court pleaded not guilty and were granted 10
million cedis bail with one surety each to re-appear
on 19 June.
In the
dock with Arthur, were Offei Yaw, Hudu
Issahaku, Alhaji Berekum, Nana Brew, Emmanuel Twum,
Halidu and Baba Sumalia. The
court presided over by Charles Adjei Wilson issued a
bench warrant for the arrest of the remaining nine.
Kingsley
Osei Bonsu, also known as Zico, a businessman and former Chief Executive of the club
in his evidence told the court that on 9 May, this year, he was in the premises
of Space FM, a local radio station when one of the workers informed him that a
group of people had damaged his (Bonsu) Opel saloon car, injuring the occupants in the process.
He said
as he was about to move out to ascertain the truth he saw about 100 people
armed with stones and sticks marching towards the station.
"My
father, however prevented them from entering the premises," he added. Bonsu said Baba Sumalia assaulted
his father after he, Halidu, and George Arthur, who
led the group had exchanged words with him (father) at the entrance.
Bonsu
said he heard George Arthur asking the group, "What is our purpose
here?" to which they responded, "We are here to collect the cards of
players of B.A. United F/C."
He said
unable to bear the insults and shouts that followed he decided to come out to
confront the group but was advised by some friends not to do so.
The
former Chief Executive said about five minutes later the group started throwing
stones and sticks into the compound, causing damage to sliding doors,
wall-clocks, air-conditioners and other items.
He said
Alhaji Berekum then jumped
on the wall and shouted: "Zico come out, we will
kill you today." Bonsu said he called the police
twice on phone but each time he was told they were short of personnel and were
mobilizing themselves to respond to his call.
He said
he followed up to the police station and met the sales-boy in his shop, "Oyinka"
The
sales boy had reported to the police that the group made away with the sales
book, an unspecified amount of money and some other items, he said.
GRi…/
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Warrant for George Arthur, eight BA supporters
Sunyani
(Brong Ahafo) 06 June 2003
- A Sunyani Magistrate Court on Thursday, begun
hearing a case in which George Arthur, Executive Chairman of Brong-Ahafo United Football Club and 16 others believed to
be supporters of the Club, are charged with rioting with offensive instruments,
unlawful entry, stealing, causing unlawful damage and assault.
Eight
of the suspects in court pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of ¢10m each
with one surety to re-appear on 19 June, this year.
They
were Offei Yaw, Hudu Issahaku, Alhaji Berekum, Nana Brew, Emmanuel Twum,
George Arthur, Halidu and Baba Sumalia.
The court presided over by Charles Adjei Wilson
issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the remaining suspects. It entreated
supporters of the Club who thronged the court to exercise restrain since the
case was still pending before the court.
Kingsley
Osei Bonsu, alias Zico, a Businessman and former Chief Executive of the Club,
told the Court that on
He said, as he was about to move to ascertain the truth of the
matter, he saw about 100 people armed with stones and sticks chanting towards
the station. Bonsu said they were prevented from
entering the premises by his father, who exchanged words with one Halidu, Baba Sumalia and George Arthur,
who were leading the group for not allowing them in, adding that, Baba Sumalia hit his father in the process.
Bonsu
said he heard George Arthur asking the group, "What is our purpose
here?" to which they responded, "We are here to collect the cards of
players of B.A. United F/C".
He said
unable to bear the insults and shouts any longer, he decided to get out to confront the group but was advised by some friends not to
do that.
The
former Chief Executive said after about five minutes the group started throwing
stones and sticks at the station, damaging items including Slide Doors,
Wall-clocks and air-conditioners. He said Alhaji Berekum then jumped on the wall and shouted: "Zico come out, we will kill you today".
Bonsu
said he called the Police two times on phone but each time was told they were
short of personnel and were "mobilising themselves" to respond to his
call. He said he followed to the Police Station and met the Salesman at his
store, "Oyinka"
The
Salesman told him the group made away with the sales book, an unspecified
amount of money and some items, he said.
He told
the court that he had spent millions of cedis in
repairing some of the damaged properties but could not mention the amount. The
court adjourned the case to
GRi…/
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