Eleven persons who were arrested for rioting over ticketing and revenue at the Shukura Lorry Station, in Accra, have appeared before the Accra Circuit Court.
The accused,who have been variously charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit rioting, rioting and riots and prohibition of activities of land guards, have pleaded not guilty.
They are: Emmanuel Gyan, 21-year-old unemployed, Seidu Bashiru, 25-year-old trader, Osman Ayariga, 28, WaduduAwudu, a 32-year-old driver, HarunaSeidu, 31-year-old Porter and IssahakuSulemana, 26-year-old driver’s mate.
The rest are HakibuShaibu, Adams YusifHaruna, aka Baba, Oly Rahman, David Mayah and ShabanShaibu.
The court presided over by Mrs Patricia Amponsah has granted GH¢50,000 bail with three sureties one to be justified to accused, and adjourned the case to November 1.
Prosecuting, Maxwell Oppong said that in September 2022, there was confusion between the members and executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport (GPRTU), Shukura Branch, in respect of “who controls the ticketing and revenue, ” at the station.
The court heard that the struggle resulted in conflict between members and executive and the police on several occasions had to intervene.
“The Regional Executives of the GPRTU have also pleaded with the Police to have the matter resolved amicably but the two-groups refused to embrace peace,” the prosecution said.
It said on October 7, at about 5:30 am, the Accra Regional Police Command received a distress call that some men armed with guns and cutlasses were attacking people at Shukura Lorry Station.
The prosecution said the Police arrested Gyan, Bashiru, and Ayariga for wielding cutlasses, but the rest escaped and Awudu, Seidu and Sulemana, returned to the crime scene to continue with their actions.
It said the police arrested Awudu, Seidu and Sulemana in possession of four cutlasses and a knife adding that Shaibu, Haruna, aka Baba, Rahman, Mayah and Shaibu, who were members of the rivalry groups who were seen rioting at the stations were also arrested.
Prosecution said some people got injured during the riots and six out of the 11 accused said they were allegedly hired by one Abass Mohammed, a secretary of the union, who was at large, to engage in the action. -GNA
