Two persons arrested in connection with a violent clash during the Homowo Festival at Omanjor in Accra have been arraigned before the Adabraka District Court.
The accused — Christian Saka Ahianyevi, 35, a security guard, and Newton Allotey, 26, a dispatch rider — have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder, rioting with weapons, and murder.
They are said to have acted with about 30 others who are currently on the run.
The court, presided over by Mrs Abena Owusu Omenyo, did not take their pleas due to the nature of the charges and remanded them into lawful custody to reappear on September 29, 2025.
Chief Inspector Apeweh Achana, prosecuting, explained that the pleas were deferred because murder was involved and investigations were still ongoing. He said efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Narrating the facts, the prosecution said the incident occurred on August 30, 2025, during the annual Homowo Festival of the chiefs and people of Omanjor and surrounding communities.
The celebration included a procession and the traditional sprinkling of Kpokpoi on the streets. However, the accused persons and their accomplices allegedly blocked the procession near the “Police land” area, claiming the Omanjor chief and his people had trespassed on their land.
A misunderstanding reportedly escalated into gunfire, leading to the deaths of Abubakar Ramadan Sarbahaka Nii Kwashiebu, Joseph Shaibu Dodoo, and Theophilus Nii Amu Kwadjan.
Several others sustained injuries, including Frederick Lartey (alias Nii Obrafour), Samuel Adjei, and Nathaniel Doku. Some of the victims are still receiving treatment at the Ridge and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals, while others have been treated and discharged.
The prosecution further told the court that intelligence led to the arrest of the accused the following day. Christian was found in possession of a locally manufactured pistol and a machete, while 18 empty cartridges were retrieved from Newton’s room.
Investigations are ongoing.
Source: Graphic.com
