Alajo Murder : Businessman to answer murder charge

Prosecutors have charged Charles Nana Frimpong, the businessman alleged to have shot a mechanic over a misunderstanding at Alajo in Accra, with murder.

Frimpong was initially charged with attempted murder after the mechanic was rushed to the Ridge Hospital for treatment on August 8, 2017.

The prosecution, however, changed the charge to murder following Boadi’s death on August 9, 2017.

When Frimpong appeared before the Abeka District Court yesterday, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Hoyt Hanson Armah, informed the court about the substitution of the charge sheet.

He prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody while the police continued with investigations into the case.

Counsel’s plea

Counsel for Frimpong, Mr Paul Asibi Abarigah, however, pleaded with the court to remand his client in police custody, instead of prison custody.

That, he argued, would give him easy access to Frimpong and help him effectively defend the accused.

Counsel further stated that his client had complained of severe bodily pains and, therefore, prayed the court to order the police to give him the necessary medical attention.

The court, presided over by Ms Victoria Guansah, remanded Frimpong into prison custody and ordered the police to give him the necessary medical attention.

Hearing continues on August 30, 2017.

Wailing and insults

Yesterday’s hearing attracted a heavy police presence and a number of friends and relatives of the deceased.

The sympathisers, who wore red and black attire and carried Boadi’s pictures, rained insults and curses on Frimpong as he was ushered in and out of the court premises.

Others broke into tears and sarcastically thanked the accused for his alleged act, saying he would never know peace.

Background

On August 8, 2017, Boadi was allegedly shot by Frimpong in the lower abdomen after the mechanic had questioned Frimpong for wrongful parking.

Boadi was said to have asked Frimpong to park his Hyundai car properly to enable him to also park a 207 Benz bus, a situation which led to a heated argument between the two.

Frimpong was alleged to have pulled a gun from his car and shot at Boadi.

But for the timely intervention of the police, Frimpong would have been lynched by an angry mob after the alleged shooting.

Two days after the incident, Boadi’s colleagues and other sympathisers staged a demonstration to demand justice for his death.