Nima Brutality: 8 suspects granted GH¢640K bail

Eight suspects arrested for their involvement in the violence at Nima on Tuesday, 18 January 2022, have been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

The court presided over by Rosemary Baah Torsu granted the eight accused persons GH¢80,000 bail each with two (2) sureties each.

They are also required to sign a bond of good behaviour and report to the Nima Divisional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service twice a week.

The court, however, remanded Aziz Suleman alias Rambo, and Farouk Dauda alias Omoni, based on a prayer by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Denis Terkpetey.

He argued that the two were directly linked to the charges.

The alleged ring leaders of the gun violence, Ali Awudu alias Bombon and Ibrahim Hussain alias Kumodzi are still at large.

In an amended charge sheet presented in court today, Tuesday, 1 February 2022, the 12 accused persons face three counts of criminal offences; rioting with weapons, conspiracy to riot with weapons, and causing harm to one Frimpong Boateng and one Shaibu Abdul Razak.

The case has been adjourned to 15 February 2022.

Background

On 19 January, police arrested seven suspects for their involvement in the violence at Nima on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.

The violence erupted at about 3:30 pm as dozens of young men engaged in a free-for-all fight with guns, machetes, clubs and knives, leaving several people seriously wounded.

Other suspects were pursued at Nima, and its environs and the police stressed their commitment “to get them arrested to face justice”.

According to the law enforcement agency, the clash was triggered by two gang leaders – Kumordzi, alias Ibrahim Hussein and Bombon, alias Ali Awudu.

“They are rivalry groups that never agreed on issues, and today [Tuesday], they went all out on the open streets of Nima,” Director-General of Police Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori, explained.

“We have nipped the violence in the bud. We are in control and would like to let the people know that the police are there at Nima to protect lives and property, and we will not give room for such criminals to disturb the peace and security of Nima”.

Some items were retrieved, including ammunition, spent bullet shells and adapted implements to cause harm and injury.

Gunshots could be heard in some of the videos as passersby screamed and ran for cover.

Dozens of police dressed in full riot gear wear deployed to the area.

A few hours later, the police released a short statement indicating that the violence had been quelled.

Nima is one of Ghana’s largest and oldest Zongo communities, with origins dating centuries ago.

It is known to be one of the flashpoints in the country which harbours gangs and hoodlums.