By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Sege District Court, presided over by Her Worship Victoria Akua Ghansah, has sentenced one Nene Isaac Addi Buertey Puplampu, a self-styled chief of Adibiawe, and four accomplices to 15 months in prison following their roles in a violent assault and urine attack on three residents of Hwakpo.
The self-styled chief of Adibiawe and his four accomplices are to serve a prison term of three (3) months each.
One other accomplice was fined GH₵1,800, while three others were acquitted and discharged.
The court convicted Nene Buertey Puplampu on charges of abetment, while his accomplices; Alex Puplampu, Emmanuel Sabah, Dartey Agorvor, and William Buertey were found guilty of conspiracy and assault.
Mary Adi Yawa was fined GH₵1,800, while Evans Otiboe Osabutey, Beauty Puplampu, and Esther Puplampu were acquitted and discharged.
The sentencing follows a brutal incident in which the accused, led by Mr. Puplampu, attacked three men sent by the gazetted Chief of Hwakpo, Nene Agbasi Dzikunu Ackwerh III, to beat gong-gong for a communal labor exercise.
The victims were assaulted, leading to one sustaining a dislocated arm while the others suffered cuts and bruises. In a shocking twist, the attackers also poured urine on their victims.
The case, which initially drew public outrage after the court suggested an out-of-court settlement without clear mediation directives, heightened tensions in Hwakpo, with fears of a possible reprisal attack.
The victims and the youth of the community expressed disappointment in the earlier decision by the District Court, thus calling for justice to curb what they described as ongoing violent harassment by Mr. Puplampu and his followers.
The case was returned to the court and after a series of appearances, judgment was finally administered.
Residents are hopeful that the court’s latest verdict will serve as a deterrent to further disturbances as authorities work to maintain peace.
