Two members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who battered the Deputy Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in Obuasi and subsequently kicked him out of his office, have been fined GH¢400 each by an Obuasi Circuit Court. Steve Asare, 40, and Inusah Abu, both polling station chairmen of NDC, were found guilty on one count of assault, contrary to section 84 of Act 29/60, and would go to jail in default of payment. The convicts were also bonded to be of good behaviour for 18 months or they would serve a 6-month sentence in breach, having come to the attention of the court that they were first-time offenders. They are required to pay additional GH¢100 each as compensation to the victim, Fredrick Addai, who is also a member of the same party Asare and Abu, who claimed to be leaders of the 'NDC Task Force' in Obuasi, did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial and had contended during the hearing of the case that it was within their "right" as NDC foot-soldiers to dismiss anyone perceived to be “a stranger” to the ruling party holding any public office, including the NYEP. The presiding judge, Gilbert Ayisi Addo, took a swipe at the lawless activity of the convicts and advised them to go back to school to get employable skills that could place them in such positions, instead of resorting to irrational behaviour. According to him, the use of force and other illegal means to take possession of public enterprises in the name of a political party has the tendency of plunging Ghana into a state of lawlessness if not checked, advising other party activists to take a cue from the case. On January 13 this year Steve Asare and Inusah Abu stormed the NYEP office in Obuasi with a group of NDC young men and attacked Fredrick Addai, the Deputy Coordinator, when the complainant and other witnesses were at the office working. Police prosecutor ASP Seth Sewornu told the court that, members of the group, who were armed with butcher's knives, daggers and other armed gang operational appurtenances, assaulted Addai, the complainant, and forced him and other officers of the NYEP out of the office, They later barricaded the office and placed it under lock and key, before they fled the scene, prosecution indicated. He added that a report was made to the police and the convicts were arrested. lie said the group indicated in their caution statements that the NDC Task Force and the party's youth were not in support of Addai's appointment, but the party executives failed to act on their concerns, hence their unlawful action. Prosecution concluded that Steve and Abu were arraigned after police investigations strongly linked them to the crime. Source: Daily Guide/Ghana