Court Hears Assault Case Involving Accra Academy Students
Four students from Accra Academy Senior High School have been arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly assaulting first-year students, with a video of the incident going viral on social media. The attack, which involved the use of a machete, has sparked widespread concern.
Details of the Accused and Charges
Among the accused, Richard Ninson, aged 21, is the only adult. He faces two counts of abetment of crime (assault) but was absent from court. The other three accused students, aged 15 to 17, appeared in court but had their identities withheld due to their status as minors.
They pleaded not guilty to charges of:
- Threat of harm
- Abetment of crime
- Assault
Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Basit presided over the case and granted the three minors GH₵10,000 bail each, released into the custody of relatives. The bail aims to allow them to prepare for upcoming examinations, in line with the Juvenile Justice Act.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The court has ordered the prosecution to file disclosures and witness statements in preparation for the Case Management Conference, scheduled for April 14, 2025.
Incident Overview
The prosecution, led by Inspector Esther Mensah and Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, revealed that the complainant, a 34-year-old tutor at Accra Academy, brought the case to light after school authorities intercepted a video on January 1, 2025, showing the assault.
According to investigations, the victims were first-year students who had gone to the school park to pray on January 17, 2025. The accused allegedly:
- Forced the victims to kneel
- Demanded the deletion of data from one victim’s phone and requested GH₵500 for its return
- Ordered other victims to contribute GH₵10 each
- Physically assaulted a victim with a machete while another accused recorded the incident
- Threatened the victims against reporting the assault
The victims were physically harmed and intimidated, raising concerns about student safety and discipline in Ghanaian schools.
Ongoing Investigation
The prosecution is continuing investigations, with further court proceedings expected in April 2025. The case highlights the urgent need for addressing bullying and violence in schools, ensuring student protection, and enforcing discipline.