Asutifi North MP granted GH₵150k bail, banned from traveling outside Accra

The Circuit Court in Accra has granted bail to the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, in the sum of GH₵150,000, over his alleged involvement in a violent attack on military officers attached to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.

Mr. Addo appeared before the court on Tuesday, November 4, on provisional charges including conspiracy to assault a public officer, assault on a public officer, conspiracy to cause unlawful damage, causing unlawful damage, and rioting with weapons. His plea has not yet been taken.

As part of the bail conditions, the court barred the MP from traveling outside the Greater Accra Region without prior notice to the investigator. He is also required to report to the case investigators once every two weeks until the order is lifted or the trial commences. The court cautioned him against any conduct that could frustrate the ongoing investigation.

Other suspects linked to the case, identified as Zakaria Yakubu, one Alex, and others, remain at large. The MP is expected to reappear before the court on December 1, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Alex Odonkor, opposed the bail application and prayed the court to remand the legislator to facilitate further investigations. According to the prosecution, the case has assumed a national character and is being handled by the CID Headquarters. They argued that, given the accused’s political influence, there was a risk of interference with witnesses or tampering with evidence.

Chief Inspector Odonkor added that video evidence circulating on social media showed how the violent incident unfolded, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation.

However, the defense team, led by lawyer Enoch Sebastian Owusu, opposed the prosecution’s plea, stressing that the accused had voluntarily presented himself to the police and posed no flight risk.

They argued that as a sitting MP with a fixed residence, family responsibilities—including a newborn child—and no history of evading law enforcement, Mr. Addo should be granted bail in the interest of fairness and justice.

The defense assured the court that the MP would fully comply with all bail conditions and cooperate with investigators throughout the legal process.