Driver, mate fined for assault of policeman

The driver of a commercial mini bus (trotro) and his mate who assaulted a policeman that was captured in a video that went viral early this year have been fined 150 penalty units each by the Weija Circuit Court.

The fine is equivalent to GH¢1,800, in default of which they will each suffer 12 months’ imprisonment.

However, officials of the Greater Accra Secretariat of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), who were at the court yesterday, paid the fine.

The two, Francis Buabeng and Albert Ansah, were, therefore, set free.

Ruling

The court, presided over by Mr Bernard Bentil, said the accused persons’ plea of self-defence was not convincing enough, hence its judgement.

It said the video recording of the incident was relevant in stating a case of assault, adding that there was no justifiable defence available in the video to support their plea.

Mr Bentil described the video as a pitiable sight to watch, adding that the content of the video was sufficient enough to reject their plea of self-defence.

A member of the defence team for the accused persons, Ms Cynthia Nimo Ampadu, who is also the Executive Director of the Human Rights Advocacy Centre, prayed for leniency before the judgement was read, saying that the accused persons were first-time offenders, they had shown remorse and were responsible adults who had families to take care of.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Ms Ampadu explained that although her clients’ plea for self-defence was rejected, the court was merciful with the judgement.

GPRTU

The Industrial Relations Officer of the Greater Accra GPRTU, Mr Abbas Ibrahim Moro, who led the union members to the court, said the union would continue to educate drivers to be disciplined and respect the police on the road.

He said although the accused persons were not registered members of the union, the union deemed it fit to support them.

Background

The case gained national attention when the video showed the driver and his mate in a brawl with Constable Julius Mawuli Ekpe on the Mallam-Kasoa road in Accra.

The two were arrested on March 18, 2019, four days after the incident, and processed for court.

Buabeng said Constable Ekpe had assaulted him and his mate and that they fought back after being subjected to an unjustified attack.