Nsuta court remands 20-year-old man over assault of policeman
The Nsuta Circuit Court in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region has remanded a 20-year-old unemployed man in police custody after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during an alleged attempt to free a suspect from detention.
Kofi Berko, a resident of Juaben, was remanded by presiding judge Simon Nketiah Gagah on Thursday, 27 August.
The case has been adjourned to 4 September for conviction and sentencing.
Brief facts
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Senu, the complainant, Sergeant Ernest Atta, is stationed at the Juaben Police Station.
Prosecutors told the court that on 25 August at about 7:30 p.m., Sergeant Atta had completed his shift as the first-out counter NCO and was on his way home when he was approached by a man identified as Kwaku Boateng.
Boateng allegedly informed him that a group of young men had attacked police officers at the charge office in an attempt to forcibly release a suspect detained for stealing.
Atta reportedly returned to the station to assist his colleagues and found Berko, whom the prosecution described as the alleged ringleader, struggling with Constable Kuffour Collins while attempting to force his way into the charge office.
When Atta confronted Berko over the alleged mobilisation of about 50 young men to attack the officers, Berko allegedly became aggressive and assaulted him, tearing his shirt in the process.
The prosecution said District Commander ASP Samuel Asare later arrived at the station after being informed of the incident.
Asare allegedly held Berko by his trousers while explaining the seriousness of the offence, but Berko attempted to attack the commander, who was in uniform.
Police officers eventually overpowered Berko and detained him to facilitate investigations.
A formal complaint was lodged, and Berko was cautioned and questioned. The prosecution said he admitted the offence during questioning.
Following his guilty plea, the court remanded him in police custody.
