Charge police officer or discontinue case – Lawyers for driver, mate charged over assault

Lawyers for the driver and conductor charged with assault of a policeman are urging the Attorney General to either discontinue the case or charge the policeman as well.

Lead Counsel for the defendants, Martin Kpebu, has argued that even before the policeman, Julius Mawuli Ekpe, lodged a complaint of assault against the driver and his mate at the Odorkor Police station, they had already lodged a similar complaint against the law enforcer at another station.

Francis Buabeng, the driver and his mate, Albert Ansah, are standing trial on charges including assault of a public officer after a video of their altercation with a policeman went viral.

The court presided over by Justice Bernard Bentil had adjourned the case to April 29 for case management conference but Mr Kpebu asked for an adjournment, saying they were preparing a petition to the Attorney General to ask for the case to be discontinued.

Police prosecutors opposed the request, saying the Odorkor Police Station investigated the two complaints and concluded the driver and mate had to be charged.

The prosecutors have subsequently urged the lawyers to, either raise the issue when the trial formally starts, or submit additional evidence to the police to that effect.

Justice Bentil turned down the request of the defendant’s lawyers for adjournment but the case could not proceed due to failure on the part of the police to bring equipment to enable the viewing of the video evidence.

Justice Bentil adjourned the case to May 13, warning he will dismiss the matter if further delays are occasioned.

Source: Joseph Ackah-Blay