Hundreds of youth from La, a suburb in Accra, wearing red T-shirts and arm bands on Monday thronged the Cocoa Affairs Court in Accra.
It was in solidarity with 17 of their kinsmen on trial for allegedly extorting monies from some people at the La Pleasure Beach Resort, and had been in Police custody since Wednesday, January 4.
The accused persons were arrested by the Police for allegedly taking over the collection of gate fees at the resort from the legitimate fee collectors.
They were before a Circuit Court in Accra charged for unlawful conduct and the breach of peace at the resort. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge and were admitted to GHC5,000 bail each with sureties, would reappear at court on January 18.
They are Abdul Rashid Boi-Nai, Roland Tetteh Fio, Enoch Ofoli Quaye, Anum Feehi, Robert Moffat, Samuel Annang Laryea, Ako Sowah, David Nnai Mensah and Leeford Vemo Tetteh.
The rest are Norbert A. Sowah, Nicholas Adjei Annan, Abraham Tetteh, Jonathan Adjei Laryea, Sowah Tawiah, Ako Odoi, Henry Abbey and Dornu Abbey.
The court presided over by Ms Audrey Tay warned the accused persons and their supporters not to cause any problem or breach the peace at La.
Mr Mohammed Sahnoon, counsel for the accused persons prayed the court to admit his clients to bail.
He said there had been abuse of power by the Police because his clients should not have been detained beyond the stipulated 48 hours as indicated in the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Sahnoon said he recalled that his clients accused had accused the La Traditional Authority for failing to account for proceeds accrued from operations at the resort.
The La Traditional Council headed by La Mantse, Nii Kpobi Tetteh Tsuru III in December 2011 wrote letters to the Police to intervene in the takeover of La Pleasure Beach Resort by some disgruntled citizens of the area.
On January 2, upon receipt of the letters, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander called the disgruntled citizens and asked them to stop their unlawful activities at the resort.
The Police on January 4, embarked on an operation at the resort and arrested the accused persons, who allegedly obstructed officials of the resort from performing their legitimate duties.
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