An Accra Circuit Court has discharged 7 of 9 Democracy Hub protesters who were arraigned before it on Tuesday, October 22.
When the case was called, the prosecution led by State Attorney Amanda Awadi told the court that the Republic had taken the decision to discontinue the matter against seven of the protesters.
They include Kingsley Asiedu, Seth Cofie, Vera Gloria Louis, Nii Quaye Hammond, Manuel Biney, Dorsese Joseph and Ernest Acheampong.
She further noted that new charge sheet would be filed against the remaining two accused persons in that set. The case has since been adjourned to November 21.
Madam Amadi further noted that new charge sheet would be filed against the remaining two accused persons in that set.
Dela Quarshie and Matthias Agbevi will hence face new charges when they reappear in court at the next adjourned date.
Lawyer for the protesters, Prince Ganaku noted that they hadn’t been served with the disclosures being cited by the prosecution. He also drew the court’s attention that one of the accused person’s mobile phone had been seized by the Police and was yet to be returned to him.
Prince Ganaku prayed to the court for his clients to be discharged since the State had dropped charges against them.
After hearing submissions by the prosecution and counsel for the protesters, presiding judge, Kobina Obiri Yeboah ruled that the charges be withdrawn and the accused persons discharged.
A huge sigh of relief swept throughout the courtroom as the protesters shook hands and tapped each other’s backs.
Nicholas Normeshie, a lawyer representing some of the discharged protesters, expressed satisfaction with the prosecution’s decision to drop the charges.
“The state made the right decision to drop the charges against these seven clients, as they were innocent of the accusations. From the state’s position, I highly doubt they will be re-arrested. If that were the case, it would have happened immediately after the court session,” Normeshie noted in an interview with journalists.
Meanwhile 3news sources say 15 more protesters are expected to be discharged as the state has not been able to gather any evidence against them.
The protesters have been charged with conspiracy to commit unlawful act, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on a public officer and defacement of public notice.
They were arrested on September 21, 2024 after hitting the streets to protest against illegal mining, also known as Galamsey and its destruction to the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
By Laud Adu-Asare
