Nasir had pleaded guilty on January 10 when he was first arraigned on the charges of prohibition of vigilante groups and activities.

He was then convicted on his own plea and remanded for sentencing today (January 25).

However in court on Wednesday, January 25 when the case was called Mohammed Nasir, through his lawyers led by Beatrice Annangfio prayed the court to have the records of January 10 proceedings set aside for the convict’s plea to be retaken.

Lawyer Annangfio among other things argued that the clerk of the court who interpreted the Hausa Language to the convict was not a certified interpreter.

She argued further that having had conference with her client he only admitted to being on the conference grounds and not admitting the offense.

She also argued that convict was not informed of his rights to counsel and it would be unfair if the plea of the convict is not retaken.

“The duty of the prosecution is not to at all cost secure conviction. The duty of the prosecution is to administer justice. I wish to say that you exercise magnanimity and retake his plea,” Lawyer Annangfio prayed the court.

Prosecution opposition

Superintendent Sylvester Asare who opposed the request said the court had no jurisdiction to set aside its proceedings, especially after conviction.

Supt. Asare noted that what the defense was asking the court to do was to “Sin against the combined effect of section 199, of Act 30”.

The prosecutor consequently prayed the court to turn down the request and deliver its sentence on the convict.

By Court

The Circuit Court presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah after listening to the parties said his court erred in allowing his clerk to do the Hausa language interpretation.

The court also said It is clear on records that the court to didn’t do enough to let him know his rights.

His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah also said the court should have found out if he wanted to go on without counsel and whether the accused understood his plea or not.

The court said it did not “know whether the clerk who interpreted the Hausa language to the convict really understood the language he interpreted to the convict.

To this, the court said it “erred” and when “the court erred” it does have the right to correct that since trial ends after sentencing, not conviction.

The court said the prosecution does not lose anything if the plea of the convict is retaken.

He said the minimum punishment for the offense of vigilantism under the section the convict is 10 years and must be given that opportunity.

Plea retaken

According to reports, Dauda pleaded not guilty to two counts when his plea was retaken.

The two others, Abdul Halid Shaibu, Alias Olu and Razak Ibrahim, Alias Oga who had earlier pleaded not guilty were also in court.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges of prohibition of vigilante groups and activities contrary to section 3(3) of the Vigilantism and related offences Act, 2019, Act 999.

Bail

Their lawyers – Lamptiig Apanga, Paul Asibi Abariga and Beatrice Annangfio all prayed for bail and the prosecution did not opposed.

All the three accused have been granted bail in the sum of GHc50, 000 with two sureties.

The sureties the court said are to be public servants earning not less than GHc2,000 and must be within the jurisdiction of the court.

The court said they are to report twice to the police on every Mondays and Fridays. The case has been adjourned to February 15.

Brief facts

Per the brief fact of the case presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sylvester Asare, the accused persons are members of vigilante groups operating within the National Democratic Congress [NDC).

He said, on December 10, 2022, Police received a report of violent disturbances at the NDC’s National Youth and Women’s Congress held at Cape Coast, in the Central Region and upon receipt, Police commenced an investigation into the matter.

ASP Asare said, during the investigation, the team reviewed police-specific video footage of the Congress and declared 16 persons including the accused person wanted in connection with the violence.

According to him, investigation revealed that while proceedings were ongoing at the Congress, two rival vigilante groups violently clashed throwing stones, blocks, and clubs among others causing injury to some persons and destroying properties.

Further investigation had it that, the 1st and 2nd accused persons and others at large work for and in furtherance of their own interest and that of George Opare Addo aka Pablo as the National Youth Organizer of the NDC.

According to him, it was also established that the 3rd accused person and others at large acted for himself and Hon. Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi.

ASP Asare told the court that, on December 9, the first and second accused and others at large were transported from Tamale to Cape Coast to engage in vigilante activities to further the interest of George Opare Addo to win the election.

The Prosecutor said, the accused persons and others at large were given GH$50.00 each as pocket money and on the same day, suspect Jango, currently in police custody organized the rival group including 3rd accused from Berekum and its environs to further the interest of Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi won their respective positions.

The Prosecutor said, the “Police investigation also revealed that Al, A2, A3 and others at large were lodged in separate hotels in Cape Coast and fed.”

“On 10/12/2022 whilst the congress was ongoing, the vigilante rival groups without any provocation and to further the interest of their respective candidates resorted to the use of violence, threat and intimidation and injured some persons.

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“Some members of the opposing factions involved in the fight got injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

It was also established that Al and A2 were paid GH¢250.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for George Opare Addo,” he told the court.

“Thus, A3 and his accomplices also received GHC200.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for Brogya Gyamfi and Hannah Bissiw.

On 06/01/2023, A1 and A2 were arrested from their hideouts at Tamale and brought to Accra for investigation,” ASP Asare told the court.

The accused he said were arrested on January 7 and 8 while the third was arrested from his hideout at Kintampo.

All the accused persons he said admitted the offence during interrogation while investigation continues.

Former President John Mahama has pledged to support the family of the late National Democratic Congress (NDC), serial caller, in the Tamale metropolis, Awudu Umar Farouk (A.U. Farouk), who died ahead of the party’s congress.

Mr Mahama gave the assurance when he joined scores of mourners to mourn with the family on Monday and donated GHS10,000 to support Mr Farouk’s widow.

Mr Mahama was accompanied by NDC stalwarts including, the National Chairman; Aseidu Nketia, Deputy National Organiser, Elikem Kototo, among others to Tamale for the final Adua.

Mr Nketia and Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini also donated GHS5,000 each to the family.

Mr Farouk was the campaign coordinator in the Tamale North Constituency for Mr Nketia and travelled to Accra for the congress on Friday.

He was to be a polling agent for the newly elected deputy national organiser, Elikem Kotoko, but unfortunately died a few hours before the election following a short illness.

To acknowledge his hard work and commitment to the party, Mr Nketia dedicated his chairmanship victory to the memory of the late Farouk.

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He urged defeated aspirants in the just-ended election to consider the death of Mr Farouk as a sacrificial lamb to heal their wounds.

The family appreciated the party for the love they showed to their late member.

Video attached above:

This comes on the back of an assault on the PNC General Secretary, Janet Nabila at the NDC’s Congress at the Accra Sports Stadium over the weekend.

The party says it received an invitation from the NDC to be present and solidarise with them at the 10th National Delegates Congress but some NDC members attacked the leader of PNC’s delegation.

In a joint statement by its Communication Secretary, Samuel Ayesu, and Acting Youth Organiser Muniru Mohammed, the PNC said NDC officials who should have intervened looked on unconcerned as Madam Nabla was physically assaulted.

“Their reason was that Madam Janet Nabla has not been joining them in their demonstrations and also she has been insulting their party,” the statement claimed.

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According to the former Communications Director at the Presidency, though he didn’t want Mr Nketia to win, he is not peeved about his victory. 

Mr Anyidoho added that this will not prevent him from criticising the party when it falters. 

He added that persons who think the outcome of the elections will cause him to commit suicide are joking. 

“I didn’t want Mosquito to win: he won and so I shd commit suicide? Ampofo didn’t want Mosquito to win; has he committed suicide? rubbish to say that I predicted a loss for Mosquito and he won so I shd keep quiet. 

“How many of us have not predicted wins in our lives and lost?,” he said in a tweet on Sunday. 

Mr Anyidoho denied allegations that there is a rift between him and his former boss, Johnson Asiedu Nketia. 

Speaking to JoyNews, he said despite his issues with the party, Mr Nketia asked him to join a committee that would facilitate the nomination of a flagbearer for the 2020 general election.

“When we entered 2019, Asiedu Nketia called me that ‘Koku, we’re going to form a committee to work around nominating our flagbearer. Can you come and serve on the committee?’ I said fine. So I went and served on the committee.

“The records are there. So the committee elected President Mahama to run again, I was a member of that committee. If I was bitter that committee would have had records,” he said.

According to him, his former boss admitted that the party had realised his “neutrality” in the party was “needed so that the other candidates can warm up to the committee.”

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Mr Anyidoho was formally expelled from the NDC in a letter dated July 27, 2021, after investigations were conducted to ascertain the veracity of allegations levelled against him by two members of the party.

The allegations included misconduct and anti-party behaviour.

Despite the expulsion, Mr Anyidoho continues to proclaim his love for the party and has said that he will not leave. He also disputes he has been properly expelled from the party.

The former Director of Elections was seeking to succeed the newly elected Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

But at the 10th National Delegates Congress at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, the dream was cut short.

In a statement, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the delegates who voted for him though the majority gave their mandate to the former Ketu South MP.

“The people have spoken and I accept their verdict. The show of unity at the Congress, the excitement of the delegates and the energy on display are ample manifestations of our motivation to go into the next electoral battle and win it for our party and Mother Ghana,” he lauded.

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Mr Afriyie-Ankrah polled 1,408 votes while Mr Kwetey polled 4,543 votes to win the General Secretary slot.

The third contender was former Deputy Secretary, Dr Peter Boamah Otukonor, who was positive he would succeed his boss, Asiedu Nketia.

Below is the full statement:

Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed he is on a trip to Tamale in the Northern region following the death of a delegate at the congress over the weekend.

The deceased, A.U. Farouk, according to reports, died on Friday night ahead of the congress on Saturday.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, General Mosquito said Mr Farouk collapsed and did not survive it.

He disclosed he was one of his campaign coordinators for the election.

Believed to be embarking on the trip with other party members, Mr Nketia explained their presence in the region is to pay last respects as he was buried on December 19, 2022.

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Mr Farouk was a popular serial caller and Communications Team Member of the NDC in the Northern Region.

Audio attached above:

Newly elected Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has broken silence on his resounding victory at the just-ended delegates congress.

General Mosquito, as he is popularly known, won the keen contest in a landslide victory at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

According to him, his leaked audio recording purporting that the party did not have concrete evidence during the 2020 election petition at the Supreme Court worked the magic for him.

General Mosquito believes the audio did more good than harm for him contrary to what his detractors expected.

“The people thought they will play the audio to destroy my campaign but it was actually a huge endorsement. Some press houses wanted to twist and use it against me and these are anti-NDC. They felt the more they hyped it, it will confirm existing stories from the NPP about the election petition,” he said on Accra-based Okay FM.

Mr Nketia stated he wished he had a lot of money to pay so the tape could be played more, however, he was grateful for the free airtime and publicity he was given within the short period.

On the tape recording which went viral ahead of the congress on Saturday, Mr Nketia, who was addressing some NDC members in a closed-door meeting accused and blamed his predecessor, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, for the party’s shoddy work in relation to the election petition.

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Play audio above:

The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Janet Nabla, has recounted circumstances that led to her assault at the delegates congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Madam Nabila, who led the PNC delegation to solidarise with the NDC, was reportedly attacked at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Narrating the incident, she claimed she was attacked for refusing to join NDC’s demonstrations against government and also criticising the party at any given opportunity.

She identified her attackers as some Greater Accra Regional Zongo caucus of the NDC.

“It was not just an assault but I case of battery. I was rushed to the hospital where my blood pressure was 172/112 and my temperature was 37.5 degrees the doctor told me I could have suffered a stroke. I was detained at GAEC hospital and asked to be transferred to Ridge due to the severity of the case.

“But I pleaded to be sent to a facility closer to Dome because I live around so relatives can easily come in case of any challenge,” she said in an interview on Accra-based Okay FM.

Madam Nabila claimed all attempts to get help amidst her assault proved futile as there was no security personnel in sight.

The only person who could have rescued her she said was the Chairman of the Congress Planning Committee, Alex Segbefia who she sighted but was shunned when she cried out to him.

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Meanwhile, she said the case has been reported to the Ministries Police with investigations underway and vowed the PNC will follow the matter to a conclusive end to get the perpetrators to face the law.

Listen to Janet Nabila in the audio above:

To him, party delegates have settled on a team of accomplished propagandists in all its departments.

Taking to his Twitter page, Mr Otchere-Darko stated the strategy for election 2024 is set.

“Congratulations to the NDC and their new national officers! Asiedu Nketia is now the Chairman-General (apologies to Kwami!) What is clear is that Ghana’s opposition party has settled on a solid team of accomplished propagandists in all departments. The strategy for 2024 is set,” he wrote.

At the NDC’s 10th Delegates Congress on Saturday, former General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, alias General Mosquito, was elected National Chairman.

He beat incumbent, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and two others in a keenly contested election held at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Mr Nketia, who stepped down as the General Secretary after 17 years, polled 5,574 representing 65.17 percent to win in a landslide victory while his key contender, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo obtained 2,892 votes representing 33.81 percent of the total votes.

Congratulations to the NDC and their new national officers! Aseidu Nketia is now the Chairman-General (apologies to Kwami!) What is clear is that Ghana’s opposition party has settled on a solid team of accomplished propagandists in all departments. The strategy for 2024 is set. pic.twitter.com/7iDNVgEueZ

— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) December 18, 2022

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Other executives elected were former Ketu South MP, Fifi Kwetey Fiavi who beat Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah and former Deputy Secretary, Dr Peter Boamah Otukonor to emerge winners in the General Secretary race.

Former Ashanti Regional Minister, Joseph Yammin, also toppled seven others to win the National Organiser position.

Addressing delegates at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, Mr Mahama reiterated that he has no favourite person among the aspirants.

“I repeat my position of neutrality in the various contests, let me say again that I do not have any preferred candidate for any position and I urge all delegates to vote based on your own appreciation of the messages of aspirants and your conviction about their capacity to work in the larger interest of the party,” he said.

Instead, he is ready to work with any national executive elected in the interest of suffering Ghanaians.

“I stand ready to work with all those you elect to lead our great party and to contribute my quota to our objectives which primarily revolves around saving this country and building the Ghana we want,” Mr Mahama added.

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Over 9,000 delegates nationwide have converged in Accra to elect new national executives ahead of the 2024 general election.

General Mosquito, as he is popularly known, who has occupied the position for the past 17 years, steps down today, Saturday, 17 December 2022, to contest the Chairmanship position.

In view of this, he has apologised to everyone he offended, particularly party supporters he offended in the line of his duties.

Mr Nketia, who is seeking to snatch the seat from the incumbent, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, rendered the apology when he delivered his farewell message at the Accra Sports Stadium as part of the NDC’s Congress.

“Let me say a word of farewell to you as I step down today as your General Secretary having served in that position for the past 17 years.

“I thank you for your cooperation and thank everybody. Those I’ve offended may the Lord touch your heart to forgive me,” he apologised.

To him, his performance and the name he has made in politics weren’t through his efforts alone and therefore acknowledged supporters for their role.

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“The credit I’ve made so far is shared and attributed to the foot soldiers of this country and this party,” he lauded.

Aside from Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo, Mr Nketia is contesting the seat with former Member of Parliament, Nii Armah Ashitey, and Samuel Yaw Adusei.

In a statement, the party expressed gratitude to former President John Mahama and all Ghanaians who contributed towards the course.

“MoMo donations and deposits into the congress account and other alternate channels of donation amounted to GHS1,083,000.

“The party wishes to thank all Ghanaians who contributed their widow’s mite to what is expected to be a monumental Congress,” National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi noted.

The Committee further thanked Mr Mahama for sponsoring the entire budget of the youth and women congresses and also for topping up to make up the shortfall in the budget.

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“The party remains eternally grateful to Ghanaians, the former president and his generous benefactors for their continued support,” Mr Gyamfi lauded.

They are expected to turn up only in party colours to make the event colourful.

The Chairman of the Congress Planning Committee, Alex Segbefia, gave the message of caution in an interview on Accra-based TV3.

The directive, according to the former Health Minister, is to ensure conformity at the event at the Accra Sports Stadium and avoid making anyone a target of attack.

Over 9,000 delegates will today, Saturday, December 17, 2022, elect new national executives for the party.

The national operational team of the Ghana Police Service has taken charge of the grounds to ensure that only accredited persons are allowed into the stadium.

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The keenly contested national chairmanship position will be between the incumbent Chair, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the incumbent General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, a former Member of Parliament, Nii Armah Ashiety, and Samuel Yaw Adusei.

The two frontrunners, Messrs Nketia and Ofosu-Ampofo have equally expressed confidence in winning the enviable chairmanship position after working tirelessly for the party.

Officials of the Electoral Commission are sorting the ballots for spoiled votes as agents of the various candidates follow every development with keen interest.

See list of contestants

National Chairman

1. Dan Abodakpi

2. Betty Mould Iddrisu

3. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo
a
4. Alhaji Huudu Yahaya

5. Danny Annang

National Vice Chairman

1. Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogho

2. Said Sinare

3. Lawyer Adu- Yeboah

4. Sherry Ayittey

5. Yaw Owusu Obimpeh

6. Alhaji Sumaila Mahama

7. Dr Kwame Ampofo

8. Awudu S. Azorka

9. Seth Ofosu-Ohene

General Secretary

1. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah

2. Samuel Koku Sitsofo Anyidoho

Deputy General Secretary

1. Alhaji Nuru Hamidan

2. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah

3. Peter Boamah Otokonor

4. David Kwaku Worwui-Brown

5. Kojo Adu Asare

6. George Lawson

7. Abdullah Ishaq Farrakhan

8. Nii Dodoo Dodoo

9. Kale Cezar

10. Ephram Nii Tan Sackey

11. Evans Amoo

National Organizer

1. Mahdi Gibrill

2. Akamba Joshua Hamidu

3. Jemima Anita De- Sosoo

4. Yaw Boateng Gyan

5. Baba Jamal Ahmed

6. Enoch Amoako- Nsiah

7. Solomon Yaw Nkansah

National Deputy Organizer

1. Dr Alhassan Hanifa

2. Kobby Barlon

3. Vivian Abla Kpeglo

4. Mohammed Mamudu

5. Agbesi Nutsu

6. Chief Hamilton Biney Nixon

7. Alfred Kojo Triddles

8. Ebenezer Asare Sackitey

9. Ahmed Gedel

National Communications Officer

1. Fred Agbenyo

2. Sammy Gyamfi

Deputy Communications Officer

1. Godwin Ako Gunn

2. Mahama Seidu Samuel

3. Kwaku Boahen

4. Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru Seidu

5. Adongo Atule Jacob

6. Muhammed Nurullah Iddrisu

National Executive Committee Member

1. Mohammed Mashood Alhaji

2. Alhaji Babanlame Abu Sadat

3. Sheriff Abudul Nasiru

4. Ebenezer Effah Hackman

5. Eliyasu Amadu

6. Alhaji Adramani Haribu

7. William Wilson Agbleke

8. Evelyn Enyonam Mensah

National Zongo Caucus Coordinator

1. Ismail Bawa

2. Alhaji Mamah Mohammed

3. Sadiku Sulley

4. Baba Ibrahim Mohammed

5. Abdul-Aziz Mohammmed

6. Abass Fuseini Sbaabe