By Kwame Bediako
Former Labour Minister and owner of Nsoatreman FC, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah has been granted bail set at GHC 500,000 with two sureties after his arrest in connection with a violent clash during a football match that left one person dead.
Mr. Awuah, alongside fellow suspect Joseph Kyeremeh, is required to appear at the Sunyani District Magistrate Court B on Monday, February 17, 2025, to address the charges against them, which include “abetment to commit crime, to wit murder,” as defined under the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960.
The former Employment and Labour Relations Minister, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, was apprehended on Monday during a police operation that also involved two other individuals. Along with Awuah and Kyeremeh, Agyemang Duah Owusu was arrested but is currently remanded in police custody, indicating the seriousness of the case stemming from violent disturbances during a football match.
The unrest occurred during a league match between Nsoatreman F.C. and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, raising concerns over safety in sporting events. The implications of Awuah’s involvement, given his former political stature, have sparked widespread media attention and public discourse about accountability and governance in relation to violent incidents.
During the court proceedings, presiding judge Eric Daning imposed additional restrictions on Awuah. He is required to submit his passport to the court registry for an initial period of 14 days, effectively limiting his ability to travel. Furthermore, Awuah is prohibited from leaving the Sunyani Municipality unless he obtains prior approval from the court, underscoring the judicial system’s approach to managing high-profile cases.
