Seven people, who allegedly set a hotel at Kpeve in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, on fire, after subjecting the owner to severe beating, were last week put before the Ho Circuit Court, and charged with causing unlawful damage.
The pleas of suspects, Michael Zogli, Christopher Awudi, Setorwu Zogli, Fred Glah, Christian Awudi, Senyo Zogli and Olivia Zogli, were not taken.
The court, presided by Madam Priscilla Dikro was told that the accused meted out the cruel act to the hotel owner, after accusing him of having knowledge of the cause of the death of a local farmer, whose body was found at a spot near the hotel.
The prosecution told the court that on January 25, this year, a farmer, Atsu Davor, went to his farm near the hotel, belonging to Mr Kafui Bani.
The court heard that later in the day, the farmer was found dead on the farm.
The next day, the prosecution said, at about 8:30am, the accused, who insisted that the hotelier had a hand in the death of the farmer, attacked him at the hotel and assaulted him until a witness rescued him.
After the hotelier was rescued, the prosecution said that the accused set the 16-bedroon hotel on fire, destroying furniture and other items.
The court heard that the accused, who were captured on a camera, while carrying out the destruction, were arrested following a complaint to the police by the hotelier.
The accused persons were admitted to GH¢100,000 bail each with two sureties, one of whom should be a government worker earning a net salary not less than GH¢2,000. Hearing continues on Thursday, April 25.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
