The Akropong Circuit Court has fined four Akuapem chiefs ¢12,144 each for defying the ban on social gatherings.

The convicts: Odehye Kofi Asiedu Adu-Mfum, 57; Nana Semeshia Ohene Asah Krofah II, 43; Ohene Nana Bennet Smith Opoku, 55; and Nana Odi Asempa Krobea Asante, 76, all pleaded guilty to violating President Akufo-Addo’s directive.

They would pay a total of ¢48, 576 to the state or in default they will serve four years each.

On Friday, May 1, kingmakers of Akuapem installed a new chief after the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs nullified the installation of one Odehye Kwasi Akuffu as the Akuapemhene.

The installation of the new paramount chief saw a jubilant crowd thronging the streets of Akropong as the new Akuapemhene, guarded by state security personnel, was being outdoored.

The frenzy that greeted the ceremony undermined the President’s social distancing directives aimed at containing the new coronavirus pandemic.

The chiefs were later arrested and arraigned.

Making his case before the presiding judge, Arrit Nsemboh, prosecutor Detective Inspector Lukenan Sulemana said the four defendants acted contrary to paragraph 1 subsection A of the Executive Instrument 64 and Section six of the Restriction Imposition Act 2020.