Funeral violence: Suhum MP’s driver charged with causing harm, remanded

The Koforidua District Court B (Cocoase) Thursday morning remanded the alleged driver of the Member of Parliament for Suhum in the Eastern Region Kofi Agyei alias Jamalo.

The accused Samuel Kofi Agyei was arraigned before court Thursday charged with causing harm with offensive weapon contrary to section 70 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 ( Act 29)

The lawyers of the accused person prayed the Court to grant the accused person bail pending trial. But the Chief State Attorney argued that the nature of the offence comes with severe punishment and therefore the accused is not likely to appear to stand trial.

Subsequently, the Magistrate adjourned the case to Tuesday, 7th September 2021, for the ruling on the bail application.

The accused is to be kept in police custody till Tuesday.

The driver of the Member of Parliament for Suhum in the Eastern Region Kofi Agyei alias Jamalo who allegedly inflicted deep machete wounds on Communication officer for Lower West Akyem, Benard Kwasi Amoani, during a melee at a funeral was arrested Wednesday, September 1, 2021.

The suspect was arrested after he was accompanied by a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, to turn himself in to the Suhum police.

Background

Four persons sustained injuries during clashes between two rival groups of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Suhum Constituency of the Eastern Region at a funeral rite.

The injured including Bernard Kwasi Amoani, 51, a communication officer for lower West Akyem NPP who was inflicted deep cutlass wound on the forehead were admitted at Suhum government Hospital.

The chaos was triggered when Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa, and some party communicators and Serial Callers attended the funeral of the late father of one of the communicators identified as Opare on Saturday, August 28, 202

While at the funeral, the Member of Parliament and his entourage led by the Constituency chairman Frederick Ofosu also arrived.

According to Eastern Regional Grassroot Communicators “they requested that they join the entourage of the MP (Hon. Oboafo Kwadwo Asante) in extending pleasantries to the bereaved family since we are all cherished members of the NPP. After informing the PA of the MP Suhum Constituency of our decision, we were clearly informed that the MP does not recognize any of us as members; hence, we cannot join his entourage in exchanging pleasantries to our dear brother”.

Alexander Odei popularly known as Big Deal took the microphone to announce that they were leaving for other engagements but wanted to place on record that they have been prevented from greeting the MP.

“At that material moment, we were left with no option than to ask for permission to leave the funeral grounds for other equally important engagements. Our Spokesperson was therefore asked to seek permission for us to leave the funeral grounds. Upon seeking permission, our spokesperson expressed our deepest displeasure and dismay by the position of the Suhum MP and his team to disrespect hardworking grassroot communicators of our dear party in that denigrating manner.

In the process of reiterating our displeasure, disappointment, and resentment on the position of the MP, our Spokesperson was forcibly attacked by a mob of supporters of the MP who manhandled him in an uncharitable manner”

The driver of the MP Kofi Agyei alias Jamalo allegedly pulled a machete to struck the forehead of victim Benard Kwasi Amoani

“These despicable individuals also turned their attention to innocent leading members of the Eastern Regional Grassroot Communication’s Team of the NPP in an attempt to rescue our Spokesperson from harm. In the process, the driver of the MP grabbed a Machete from the vehicle of the MP and slashed the forehead of our colleague Bernard Kwasi Amoani, who was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention”.

Later in the day, Charles Gyasi, Suhum Constituency Youth Organizer accompanied by Martin Odei and Ernest Lartey, all executive members of the NPP went to the Suhum Police station to report the incident

Police together with complainants proceeded to Suhum Government Hospital where victim Kwasi Amoani was seen at the Emergency ward under stable condition responding to treatment.

Police medical forms were prepared and issued to victims to be endorsed.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the incident when contacted.

He said Suhum Police command is Investigating it to bring the culprits to book.