Six out of 47 suspects rounded up last Monday for their alleged involvement in the murder of the chief of Garizhegu, Yakubu Andani, have been charged with conspiracy to murder and murder.
The others were charged for carrying offensive weapons.
Their pleas were not taken by the Tamale District Court, presided over by Mr Gabriel Mate-Teye. They were remanded in prison custody to re-appear on April 9, 2010.
According to the police, two other suspects, the regent of the village, Alhassan Tia, and his brother were on the run.
Prosecuting, Inspector Johnson Kyeremeh told the court that the deceased, Andani Yakubu, had been enskinned the chief of Garizhegu on March 14, this year. That, however, had not gone down well with a section of the people in the village who protested over the issue.
As a result, the late chief had been living outside the village since his instalment.
He said last Monday, the deceased decided to visit his friend at a nearby village, Nangbagu, on his motorbike.
On his return, he was allegedly stopped at Garizhegu and subsequently attacked by the suspects, leading to his death. The motorbike was also burnt and placed on his body.
A number of offensive weapons were also retrieved. They included 18 locally manufactured guns, four machetes and knives.
In a related development, the Tamale Metropolitan Security Committee (METSEC) has appealed for calm and restraint at Garizhegu following “the unfortunate and tragic incident leading to the loss of life”.
A statement signed and issued by the Chairman of METSEC, Alhaji Abudulai Harruna Friday, said the situation in Garizhegu had been brought under control through the combined efforts of the METSEC and the security agencies and that further efforts were being made to ensure lasting peace in the community.
According to the METSEC, the suspects were currently facing trial and further appealed to the residents, especially women, children and the elderly, who fled the hitherto peaceful community to return to their respective homes.
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