Members of two rival groups that clashed at the the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Youth and Women Congress in Cape Coast have been put before a court of competent jurisdiction.

They are Abdul Halid Shaibu alias Olu, Razak Ibrahim alias Oga and Dauda Mohammed Nazir. They were believed to be part of about 16 people identified to have participated in the riot.

The accused persons were arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright, on prohibition of vigilante groups and activities contrary to section 3(5) of the Vigilantism and related offences Act, 2019 [Act 999].

Dauda Mohammed Nazir has pleaded guilty on two counts of arming himself with an offensive weapon and resorting to the use of violence during  the congress.

Thus, out of the four charges levelled against Dauda, he accepted responsibility for two (3rd & 4th counts), on his first appearance before the court today, January 10, 2023.

However, after his explanation, a plea of not guilty was entered for him by the court on court 4 as well as deferring his sentence to January 25.

Nevertheless, the court will be taking the plea of the others -Abdul Halid Shaibu alias Olu and Razak Ibrahim alias Oga – tomorrow, January 11, 2023. Their pleas were deferred due to language barrier.

Shaibu and Ibrahim are facing two counts each on similar offences – prohibition of vigilante groups and activities.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare, prosecutor, informed the court that the accused persons are believed to be members of vigilante groups operating within the NDC. 

According to him, on December 10, 2022, the police received a report of violence disturbances at the NDC’s National Youth and Women’s Congress held in the Central regional capital, Cape Coast. 

He informed the court that upon receipt of the information,  the police commenced an investigation into the matter, in which video footages of the scene viewed and in the process, 16 people including the accused persons were found connected to the violence.

The court was told that the police has established through investigation that while proceedings were ongoing at the Congress, two rival vigilante groups violently clashed, amid throwing stones, blocks, clubs sticks among others, causing injury to some persons and destruction of properties.

“Further investigation had it that, 1st (Abdul Halid Shaibu) and 2nd (Razak Ibrahim alias Oga) accused persons and others at large work for and in furtherance of their own interest and that of George Opare Addo @ Pablo as the National Youth Organizer of the NDC,” he alleged. 

He added that it was also established that Dauda and others at large acted for themselves and that of Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi. 

DSP Asare narrated to the court that Shaibu, Ibrahim and others at large were transported from Tamale to Cape Coast to engage in vigilante activities to further the interest of George Opare Addo to win the election. 

The prosecutor stated that the accused persons and others at large were given GH¢50.00 each as pocket money, saying: “On same 9th December, 2022, suspect Jango currently in police custody organized the rival group including 3rd [accused person] from Berekum and its environs to further the interest of Hon. Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi to win their respective position[s].”

Giving details and account of event, he added that investigation further revealed that accused persons herein, and others at large were lodged in separate hotels in Cape Coast and fed. 

On December 10, 2022, whilst the congress was on going, the vigilante rival groups without any provocation, but to further the interest of their respective candidates, resorted to the use violence, threat and intimidation, which injured some people.

The prosecutor alleged that “some members of the opposing factions involved in the fight got injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment. It was also established that Al and A2 were paid GH¢250.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for George Opare Addo. 

“Thus, A3 (Daud) aand his accomplices also received GH¢200.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for Brogya Gyamfi and Hannah Bissiw.”

He added that Shaibu and Ibrahim were arrested from their hideouts at Tamale on January 6, 2023, and brought to Accra for investigation. Dauda Mohammed Nazir was arrested on January 8 at Kintampo.

The court was told that all accused persons have admitted the offence during interrogation.