The District Magistrate Court at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), presided over by Her Worship Mrs. Vera Aryeetey, has granted bail in the sum of GH₵8,000 with two sureties to a man who was arrested for breaking an AMA padlock and obstructing Assembly officials from carrying out their lawful duties.
The accused, Gilbert Benson, pleaded not guilty to the charges of breaking an AMA padlock and obstruction of public officers when he appeared before the court on Thursday.
According to the facts presented by the prosecutor, Nii Okine Aryee, Mr Benson was apprehended after he allegedly broke a padlock placed by the AMA on his shop facility and forcibly prevented authorized officers of the Assembly from executing their official duties in accordance with the Assembly’s Bye-laws.
He told the court that the accused’s conduct contravened the provisions of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Notices and Obstruction) Bye-Laws, 2017, which make it an offence to obstruct or interfere with AMA officials in the performance of their duties.
Presiding over the case, Her Worship Mrs. Vera Aryeetey said the court granted the accused bail in the sum of GH₵8,000 with two sureties to be justified and adjourned proceedings to November 12, 2025, for continuation.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah, explained that the accused’s shop had been locked after he questioned why his truck was offloading goods around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, contrary to the Assembly’s regulations.
He reminded the public that it was an offence under the Assembly’s Bye-laws to obstruct or resist officials lawfully performing their duties and cautioned residents and business operators within the metropolis to comply with the directives of authorized AMA officials, warning that any attempt to tamper with AMA padlocks, seals, or interfere with enforcement exercises would be met with firm legal action.
