An Akim Swedru court has remanded 12 natives including two chiefs, who attempted to de-stool Nana Okutwasuo Oware Agyekum III, Omanhene of the area, in police custody until April 4.
Four accomplices, Kofi Kyei, Kwadwo Oware, Kwadwo Tawiah and Kwasi Asante, have absconded and the trial judge, Mr Kofi Akrowiah, has issued a bench warrant for their arrest.
The other 10 accused persons pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, assault, failing to follow the due process to destool a chief, and taking part in a public event without notification of the police.
Police Inspector Eric Awiadem told the court that the complainant is the Omanhene of Akim Bosome Traditional Area and Chief of Akim Swsedru, while the accused persons include Nana Nyamekye Amponsem II, Krontihene of Akim Bosome Traditional Area and a legal practitioner, and Nana Dwadom Ahenkorah II, Ahene- nana Hene of Akim Bosome Traditional Area.
Inspector Awiadem said on April 5 this year, at about 0700 hours, the police had a telephone call that two chiefs and four other persons had converged at the forecourt of the Akim Swedru palace to de-stool the Paramount Chief, Nana Okotwoswo Oware Agyekum II.
According to him, the Akim Swsedru Police swiftly mobilised themselves and proceeded to the palace where the police detected that the linguist had slaughtered a ram, which was part of a custom for de-stooling a chief, and he and some of the accused persons were advancing towards the palace.
The Prosecutor said at this juncture Nana Okotwassuo Agyekum who had taken refuge at the palace, also fired some gun-shots to scare the organizers who were advancing towards the palace.
He stated that because the situation was so chaotic the Birim South District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Abotsi, called for the support of the military from the Achiase Jungle Warfare School to quell the disturbances.
Inspector Awiadem said before the police and the military could move towards the palace, the youth of the town and a brass band troupe had staged a procession through the principal streets of Akim Swedru and ended up at the palace.
He said when they saw the police and the military, the youth took to their heels, leaving behind the bands' men who were arrested.