Big Six effigies’ destruction case adjourned to Sep 18

The Kwabenya Circuit Court has postponed the case of Newwell Gavu until September 18 to allow for a thorough mental health evaluation. Gavu, a 37-year-old CCTV installer, faces charges for allegedly vandalizing the statues of the Big Six at the Airport Roundabout in Accra.

The adjournment will enable the court to review a detailed report on Gavu’s mental state. A preliminary report from Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, where Gavu was evaluated following a court order, has been submitted. The hospital has recommended further procedures, including a brain scan, and intends to interview Gavu’s family to complete the assessment.

The case investigator has noted that due to the lack of necessary scanning equipment at Pantang, Police Hospital, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the required scans must be conducted at private facilities, which necessitates financial support. The court has advised Gavu’s family to assist with the costs and urged Pantang Hospital to expedite the evaluation.

Gavu, who was arrested on August 31, 2024, for allegedly damaging the statues of Kwame Nkrumah, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, William Ofori Atta, and Edward Akufo-Addo, has not yet pleaded. The Attorney General’s Department has taken over the prosecution, with State Attorney Natalie Opoku Hammond representing the state.

The police, along with the public and Airport Security, were instrumental in Gavu’s arrest. The complainant, who saw Gavu vandalizing the statues on his way to work at Kotoka International Airport, reported the incident, leading to Gavu’s detention.

During questioning, Gavu provided conflicting statements but later claimed that a spirit instructed him in a dream to destroy the statues. Further investigation revealed that Gavu had previously been treated at Pantang Psychiatric Hospital for abnormal behavior but had stopped his medication, burned his hospital documents, and left home.