Was Kufuor Targetted?

There is more to President's accident - State Attorney
Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - Mr Edward Agyeman Duodu, a Principal State Attorney, on Friday announced to the Motor Court in Accra hearing the case in which a motorist hit President John Agyekum Kufuor's car that, facts emerging from investigations indicated that it was not a mere road accident.

"There is more to it than a mere road accident and we want to consider all aspects," he said.

Mr Duodo said the case was a very serious offence, adding that, at the appropriate time final charges would be preferred against the accused, Thomas Osei.

He therefore prayed the court to adjourn the case for further investigations since only certain aspects of the matter had been investigated.

He added that, if the accused were granted bail he might interfere with investigations.

Osei's vehicle on November 14 hit President Kufuor's car on the Liberation Link, near Opeibea House. The President escaped unhurt. He is being held for dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to give way to the presidential convoy.

Osei's plea is yet to be taken by the court.

Mr Kwame Boafo Akuffo, who represented Osei, asked what new charges would be preferred against his client arising out of investigation. He said the facts before the court were not in dispute and this was not the first time a car has been involved in road accident but expressed regret that it involved the first gentleman.

Mr. Akuffo said the continual incarceration of his client in custody infringed upon his fundamental human rights.

He prayed the court to grant his client bail saying, "If they change the charges, this court cannot hear the case, it would become a criminal case and move to a higher court."

But the court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Diwuoh refused the bail application and remanded the accused into police custody till December 19 for ruling on the bail application.

Soon after the hearing he was whisked him into a waiting police car amidst heavy security.

Chief Inspector Dora Seiwaah, at the last sitting said at about 1030 hours on November 14, Osei, who was driving a Mercedes Benz SE 500 saloon car with registration number GT 2989 W was in the inner lane along the South Liberation Link from AFGO towards 37th Military Hospital.

When he arrived at the Opeibea traffic light, he ignored the siren of the Presidential convoy and drove straight into the rear offside portion of the President's Mercedes Benz 550 saloon car.

The Prosecution said the impact forced the President's vehicle to spin around and hit a light pole on the central reserve.

The President's vehicle fell on its right side and landed on a VW Golf saloon car with registration number GW 8750 K driven by Pastor Ken Joe Osei Kuffuor, who was driving from 37th Military Hospital.