President's Accident: SUSPECT BEFORE COURT

Thomas Kofi Osei, the man who reportedly crashed the Prsident's car with his Benz


By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, 17 November 2007
A man yesterday appeared at the Motor Court in Accra, charged with four counts of dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to give way to the presidential convoy.

Thomas Kofi Osei, 51, on Wednesday allegedly drove into President J. A. Kufuor’s car, causing it to overturn.

The President escaped unhurt but his driver, Osafo Addo, was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra and later discharged.

Osei, with a plaster on his left eyebrow, was brought to the court in handcuffs, in the company of Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Motor Traffic Unit, ACP Daniel Julius Avorga.

He had no legal representation and a police source later told the Times that at the time of his appearance before court, no counsel had come forward to represent him.

There were a number of people at the court premises but they seemed not aware that Osei was to be arraigned before the court yesterday.

Two policemen, one armed with an AK 47, escorted him into the courtroom at 1.52 p.m. Proceedings lasted for about 16 minutes.

When the case was called, Chief Inspector Dora Seiwaa, prosecuting said: "We do not intend to take his plea.

"We want the court to remand him in police custody so that the police can continue with their investigation into the matter."

The court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Diawuo, granted the prosecution’s request and asked the clerk to read the charges to the hearing of Osei.

Presenting the fact of the case, Chief Inspector Seiwaa said that about 11.30 a.m. on November 14, Osei was driving a Mercedes Benz Saloon Car SE500 with registration number GT 2989W in the inner lane along the South Liberation Link from the direction of AFGO, towards the 37 Military Hospital area in Accra.

"On his arrival at the traffic light intersection at Opeibea House, Osei ignored the presidential siren and drove straight into the near (side) of the President’s Mercedes Benz S500 being driven by Mr. Osafo Addo."

She said the President’s convoy was coming from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange towards the Osu Castle and the President’s car was in the middle lane.

"The impact forced the President’s car to turn round and hit a light pole on the central reservation.

"The President’s car finally fell on the right side and landed on a VW Golf car with registration Number GW 8750X which was in the inner lane from the 37 Military Hospital direction".
The prosecutor said the Golf car was being driven by a pastor, Ken Joe Osei Kuffour.

"All the vehicles were damaged and the drivers sustained injuries and were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where Mr. Osafo Addo and Pastor Kuffour were treated and discharged.

"The President escaped unhurt," the prosecutor added.

She said investigations revealed later that Osei was driving under the influence of alcohol and when samples of his urine were taken for testing it contained 0.41 per cent of alcohol.

She said the legal limit allowed for driving is 0.08 per cent.

After the prosecution’s case, Mr. Diawuo remanded the accused into police custody, until November 30.