Eighteen suspects arrested over the death of a horse trader at Gozezi, a suburb of Bawku, have been remanded by the Bolgatanga District Court.
Seventeen of the suspects have been charged for possession of ammunition and discharge of firearms without lawful authority and possession of substances suspected to be narcotics.
The remaining suspect was charged with murder.
The prosecution, led by ASP Joseph Kunsong, prayed the court remand the suspects into police custody as investigations continued.
Counsel for the accused persons, Mohammed Tahiru Nambe, however disagreed.
He pleaded with the court to grant the suspects bail.
He said the suspects will always report when called upon by the court to aid a speedy trial.
However, the Bolga District Court presided over by Mawukoenya Nutekpor, refused the bail application, and remanded them into police custody.
The case has been adjourned to 30 March 2022.
Background
A horse trader was gunned down following a sporadic shootings incident in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The Monday, 14 March 2022 incident left most residents in fear and panic as it was unclear what instigated the shooting.
Narrating the incident, Bawku Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Akabati, said the deceased was on his way to Widana to bring one of his horses to Bakwu when some unknown assailants who had been stalking him, spread bullets on his body, leading to his death.
He said the incident led to a swoop in the area leading to the arrest of some 18 suspects.
Meanwhile, the tension in the Upper East Region town has led to several restrictions in the area.
There is an 8pm-to-5am curfew on the town while motorbike riding has also been banned.
The wearing of smocks has also been banned though that was lifted for a few days for the celebration of a traditional festival.