March 29, 2013

The case involving Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central was on Thursday adjourned because the trial judge, Mr Ebenezer Osei Darko was not well.

Though, Mr Anthony Rexford Wiredu, Chief State Attorney and the accused Kennedy Agyepong appeared in court the case could not be heard because the trial judge was not well and had to seek medical attention.

Kennedy Agyapong has been charged for inciting riot and engaging in offensive conduct conducive to breach the peace.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and he is on self recognizance bail. The case was adjourned to April 9, 2013 for hearing.

The accused was arrested on Monday, April 16, after being invited by the Police CID over statements he allegedly made the previous Friday, April 13, on his Accra-based radio station, Oman FM.

He was alleged to have “declared war” and vowed to lynch any fake security operative, following the alleged physical attack on Ms Ursula Owusu,  NPP’s Ablekuma South parliamentary aspirant and Mr Abu Jinapor, an aide to the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Tarzan, a registration centre at Odododiodoo in Accra.

The accused reportedly said he would organize supporters of the NPP to defend themselves because the police had failed to protect them.

On Wednesday, April 18, the Adjabeng Magistrate’s Court in Accra declined jurisdiction in the case of treason, felony and attempted genocide brought against the accused, saying such crimes should be tried by the High Court.

Ms Patricia Quansah, Presiding over the court, said in a ruling after prosecution had asked for the remand of the accused, that such cases were heard by three high court judges.

She said the Chief Justice on June 17, 2008, released a circular to all judges stating that cases such as treason, murder, narcotics and rape, were to be referred to the Chief Justice, who would in turn refer them to the court.

Ms Quansah asked the prosecution, also led by Mr Wiredu, to refer the matter to the Chief Justice to determine which court should hear the case.

GNA