Twenty-three persons in Ada who were involved in a riot against Electrochem Company Limited have been charged with six different counts, including unlawful entry, assaulting company staff, and threatening the life of a Police officer.

The suspects include, Nene Badebom Anin II, Nene Mialo Dadabom, Nene Kwesi Dame Bone, Elias Anim, among others.

According to court documents available to JoyNews, the initial count is agreeing to act with a common purpose to commit crime; namely rioting at Salom Sege. This is said to be contrary to sections 23(1) and 198 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT 29).

Additional charges include; being armed with offensive instruments such as stones, cutlass and sticks; and forcibly entering the premises of Electrochem Company Limited without authorization.

These also contravene sections 199, 202 (A), respectively of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT 29).

The rest are, intentionally and unlawfully assaulting the workers of Electrochem Company Limited and causing damages to the structures of the company. These are contrary to sections 84 and 172 of the said act.

The last charge against Elias Anim is, threatening a Police officer, DSP George Aboagye with the words, “I will kill you.”

This goes contrary to section 75 of the aforementioned act.

Presenting the case before the Tema Circuit Court, District Sergeant, Derrick Debrah said some youth of Toflokpo, Salom and Bonikpe led by the chiefs; Nene Badebom Anin II, Nene Mialo Dadabom, and Nene Kwesi Dame Bone kicked against the company’s decision to move its machines and equipment to site to mine salt in commercial quantity after receiving a concession from government.

He noted that on August 9, the accused persons, during a riot, forcibly entered the premises of the company, assaulted the workers and caused unlawful damage to the structures.

“They set fire to the structures and chased them (workers) out of the site,” he stated.

The incident was later reported to the Police who dispatched a team to restore order. They were, however, faced with fierce resistance.

Subsequently, another team of reinforcement was deployed to the scene and the suspects were arrested.

But during the tussle, one Elias Anim threatened to kill DSP George Aboagye, stating that, “I will kill you.”

Meanwhile, investigations are still ongoing.