Court Strikes Out Case Against NDC Officer and Two Others in Poster Defacement Case
Awutu Beraku Court dismisses two-year-old poster defacement case, clearing NDC officer and two co-accused of all charges
- Awutu Beraku District Court strikes out case against NDC Communications Officer Cassius Otto Larbie and two others
- The accused were arrested in 2024 for allegedly defacing NPP campaign posters on DRIP equipment
- Court dismissal ends a two-year legal battle, with Larbie describing the trial as politically motivated.
The Awutu Beraku District Court has struck out a case against Cassius Otto Larbie, Communications Officer for the Awutu Senya West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), along with two others, Robert Tetteh and Bright Ayittey.
The case, titled “The Republic versus Cassius and Two Others,” was dismissed, and all three accused were formally discharged.
The trio had been arrested on Thursday, September 12, 2024, for allegedly defacing posters of the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya West, Eugene Arhin, which were reportedly placed on District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment. The complaint was lodged by the former District Chief Executive, Moses Arhinful.
They were initially remanded in police custody for five days and later granted self-recognisance bail of GH¢2,000 each with one surety when they reappeared before the court on Monday, September 16, 2024.
The case saw multiple adjournments, with the accused making six court appearances in 2024. Eventually, proceedings became inactive, prompting the accused to inquire about the status. The court then confirmed that the case had been struck out and withdrawn, officially discharging the accused.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Larbie expressed relief, describing the outcome as a vindication. “After almost two years, the court now says the case is no longer being pursued. This is more than just being exonerated. It means I had done nothing wrong, and the whole trial was pure political persecution,” he said.
He added that the NDC’s win in Awutu Senya West serves as an inspiration for him to continue working for the party.
