The accident scene
By William Yaw Owusu
Saturday December 15, 2007
THE Motor Court handling the case of the President’s accident, yesterday deferred to Wednesday, December 19, ruling on defence’s application for bail.
This follows the prosecution’s objection to the application, arguing that there is a new development in the investigation.
Thomas Kofi Osei, 51, is standing trial before the court for driving into President Kufuor’s car on November 14.
When Osei appeared before the Court, the prosecution, led by Edward Agyeman Duodu, a Principal State Attorney, asked the court to remand him once again to enable the police to bring a “new development” to the court's attention.
It is the third time that Osei has been remanded into police custody by the court, presided over by Mr.Samuel Diawuo. On the previous appearances on November 16, and November 30, the police had said they were still investigating the matter.
Mr Kwame Boafo Akuffo, counsel for Osei yesterday renewed his application for bail for the accused person, citing the prosecution's attitude towards the trial as his reason.
He said he does not see why the court should still remand Osei when the provisional charge preferred against him is bailable under the law.
Mr Akuffo said his client has since the accident admitted the offence, accepted responsibility and also shown remorse.
“If the prosecution says it needs more time to investigate this matter it becomes tedious and worrying because the facts of the case are not in dispute and there is nothing spectacular or mysterious about this unfortunate accident”.
Counsel said, however, that he has information that his client is likely to be charged with attempted murder.
Responding, Mr. Doudu, the prosecution 'we cannot disclose to the court the latest development about the investigations now. “We are asking for a remand because when he is left at large he may interfere with investigations”.
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He said: “There is more to the case than the ordinary facts available before this court and as far as the prosecution is concerned, there has not been any unreasonable delay for the court to exercise its discretion in the grant of bail to the accused person'.
the judge then deferred ruling on the bail application to December 19.
Osei's plea was again not taken but the case for the prosecution has already been made known to the court.
He drove into the President's car on November 14 at about 11:30 am, forcing it to overturn. The President was unhurt but his driver, Osafo Addo, was treated and discharged at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
On his first appearance on November 16, Osei was charged provisionally with four counts of dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to give way to the presidential convoy.
Mr. Duodu, who had taken over the case on November 30, from the police said that the docket was brought to the A-G's Department for advise and the prosecution needed time to study it and prefer the appropriate charges against the accused.
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