Former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, and Joseph Kyeremeh have been granted bail after their arrest in connection with the tragic death of Asante Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Pooley.
The two, along with Agyemang Duah Owusu, were detained by police on Monday, February 3, for their alleged involvement in inciting violence during a Ghana Premier League match between Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko. The violence led to the fatal incident involving Nana Pooley.
Baffour Awuah, Kyeremeh, and Owusu face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and inciting the deadly clash. Authorities claim their actions contributed to the tensions that ultimately led to the fatal outcome.
In court, Hon. Baffour Awuah and Kyeremeh were granted bail of GHC 500,000 each, with two sureties required. Their passports have been seized, and they must report to the police station daily for the next two weeks.
Owusu, found with a pistol and bloodstained clothing at his home by police, has been remanded into custody for two weeks as investigations continue.
All three defendants are set to appear in court again on February 17, 2025.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Asante Kotoko has announced it will withdraw from all senior football activities until justice is served. The club is calling for urgent measures to prevent such violent incidents in the future.
Also, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has indefinitely suspended Nana Kronmansah Park from hosting future matches to prioritize safety.
The FA has also scheduled an emergency meeting for Thursday, February 6, 2025, with Premier League clubs, stakeholders, and supporters’ groups to discuss the incident and explore preventive measures.
