Eleven suspects transferred to Accra from the conflict zone in Bawku in connection with some killings in the town, were yesterday brought before an Osu Magistrate Court, charged with murder. The accused persons, aged between 20 and 30 years, allegedly embarked on reprisal killings to avenge the deaths of their loved ones in the ethnic violence in the area between the Mamprusis and Kusasis. Six other persons are also facing trial at an Accra Fast Track High Court for possessing firearms without lawful authority. The murder suspects, tried in groups, and whose pleas were not taken, included Alhaji Fuseini Abugri, Issah Amadu Abugri, and Alidu Abugri. They allegedly murdered a certain Baba Awuf and others, after one of their relatives had gone in search of his missing domestic animal and was stoned to death. According to the prosecuting officer, ASP Patrick Morkeh, the Abugri brothers, after informing the police about their missing relative, took the law into their own hands and vandalized properties in the residence of their victims, leading to many of them fleeing for their lives. The prosecution noted that at that juncture, only the elderly were left behind, adding that the accused (the Abugri brothers) did not spare their lives, but went ahead to slit their throats. Imoro Salifu and Hamidu Salifu, who were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder, allegedly shot to death a contractor, who was returning from the mosque on May 4, 2008 without provocation, after which they sped off on a motorbike. Haruna Ibrahim, another suspect, was said to have killed a certain Munir Adams and chopped off his head with the help of some accomplices. He was immediately arrested by the security agencies but his accomplices managed to escape. Tamin Adams, a revenue mobiliser and others at large, were said to have attacked Yermin Adams, a 53-year-old educationist and shot him several times. The victim reportedly died when he was being taken to the hospital. Adams Salifu and Bangani Fuseini, on the other hand, reportedly vandalized properties at Kariyama Market in Bawku while Iddrisu Issah and Adamu Busanga were also in the docks for killing some persons when the Kusasis were celebrating their annual Samanpid festival in December last year. His Honour, Plange Brew, the trial Judge, remanded all the murder suspects in custody while the six were taken to an Accra Fast Track High Court and their case adjourned to July 29, 2008. At the Fast Track High Court, Issaka Fuseini and Nuhu Fuseini Awimbilla John pleaded not guilty to possessing firearms without lawful authority. A police Constable, Daniel Yeboah, who was also among the accused persons, was charged with stealing a rifle belonging to the Ghana Police Service. His counsel, Mr. Carl Adongo, applied for bail for him on the grounds that his other colleagues in the same case had been granted bail, but the application was declined by the trial Judge, Justice Charles Quist. Abugri Mohamadu was also charged with stealing and possession of firearms while Alhasan Hamza was charged with possessing firearms. A bail application by Mr. Anthony Namoo, counsel for the accused persons, was also refused by the Judge. The youngest among the suspects, Nuhu Fuseini, who is 15 years old, was ordered to be taken to a borstal institute while the rest have been remanded in custody. They are to appear in court on August 4, 2008. The Bawku Municipality in the upper East Region had since last year metamorphosed into a theatre of bloodshed, following the revival of a long-standing conflict between the Mamprusis and Kusasis. Source: Daily Guide