Koforidua tribunal gets tough with demonstrating drivers
Man who fled from dock sentenced
Koforidua tribunal gets tough with demonstrating drivers
Koforidua (Eastern Region), 27th October 99
A Koforidua Community Tribunal on Tuesday imposed a one million-cedi bond or in default 12 months' imprisonment in hard labour on each of 14 taxi drivers who took part in an unlawful demonstration in the Koforidua Municipality on August 30.
The tribunal also imposed a fine of 100,000 cedis and 245,000 cedis as compensation for assaulting Inspector Samuel Opoku and smashing the windscreen of the cab of Maxwell Ododo.
The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Asare Duah, imposed the sentences after the 14 had each pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful demonstration in the Koforidua Municipality.
The demonstration was in protest against alleged extortion by the police and the designation of too many spots as "no parking" and "no stopping" areas in the Municipality.
In the ensuing drama, six of the drivers who allegedly used their vehicles to block a section of the main Effiduase-Koforidua road were arrested.
While they were being conveyed to the tribunal, Edward Agyapong suddenly drove into the road and crossed the police vehicle conveying the accused persons, thus preventing them from moving.
Agyapong was alleged to have assaulted the police driver together with the other accused persons who forced the door of the vehicle open and freed the suspects.
GRi
Return to top Man who fled from dock sentenced
Koforidua (Eastern Region), 27th October 99
The Koforidua tribunal on Monday sentenced 25-year-old unemployed who escaped from the dock while standing trial for assault to six months' imprisonment.
The Tribunal, chaired by Mr. Asare Duah, also fined John Kwadjo 100,000 cedis for the assault charge and one million cedis as compensation to Madam Dede Dorsia, the complainant.
Kwadjo who pleaded guilty to both charges will go to prison for 12 months and 18 months respectively if he fails to pay the fine and the compensation.
According to the prosecution, Kwadjo, who was standing trial for assaulting Madam Dorsia at Nkruranka, near Koforidua, on June 29, this year, escaped from the dock while the panel members were deciding on the sentence.
He was, however, chased by the police and some people and arrested about 200 metres away from the tribunal.
GRi