2 siblings who brandished guns in viral video granted bail

A Kumasi Circuit Court has granted bail to two siblings seen brandishing a pump-action gun and pistols in a viral social media video.

The accused, Emmanuel Dakurah, also known as Obuor and Richard Suleman, aged 26 and 28 respectively, were slapped with three charges.

They include conspiracy to publish false news, publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm and carrying of offensive weapons contrary to the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

A third suspect, identified only as Oluman is at large.

According to the facts of the case presented by the Police Prosecutor, Chief Superintendent Kofi Blagodzi, all the accused persons are Obuasi-based small scale miners.

The accused persons, wielding guns on June 15, 2021, were seen flaunting money in video and pictures on their Facebook walls and WhatsApp statuses with voices such as “everybody should run”.

They were arrested on June 17, 2021, in Gausu and later transferred to the Ashanti Regional Police CID in Kumasi.

Counsel for accused persons, Charles Owusu Ansah, prayed the court to grant bail to the accused persons.

He argued his clients are law-abiding citizens who turned themselves in to the police and would therefore avail themselves when needed by the investigators.

Police Prosecutor, Chief Superintendent Kofi Blagodzi, however, objected to the plea for bail, insisting granting bail to the accused persons could interfere with police investigations to unravel the source of the guns seen in the viral video.

The Presiding Judge, His Honour Ebenezer Kwaku Ansah, said he will not condone any wrongdoing after the police have kept the accused persons beyond the mandated 48-hours allowed by law.

He questioned prosecution how the accused could interfere with police investigations whilst on bail.

The court granted the accused persons bail with the sum of ¢50,000 each with two sureties to be justified.

They are also to report to the police every three days.