Three witnesses testify at Osei's trial

Accra, Jan. 18 GNA - General Constable Joseph Frimpong of the Airport Police Station, and first prosecution witness on Friday told an Accra Fast Track High Court that he had a call from the President's security around 11.30 hours on the day of the accident that the President was about to pass to his office and he should therefore be alert.

He said when he heard the siren of the Presidential convoy he stopped all the vehicles, but suddenly he saw Thomas Osei's car overtaking others in front of him from the direction of Aviance and he failed to heed to his warning to stop but ran into the President's car. Constable Frimpong, who was on duty at the Opeibea intersection at the time of the accident, narrated the incident during cross-examination by Mr Kwame Boafo Akuffo, Counsel for Osei.

Thomas Osei 51, a businessman and the person at the centre of the President's car accident has been charged with five counts of motor traffic offences, use of narcotic drugs and failing to change ownership of the vehicle.

The charges include dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to Presidential siren and the use of narcotic drugs. The President escaped unhurt.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges leveled against him. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Emmanuel Ayebi, remanded the accused into prison custody to reappear on January 25, this year. Constable Frimpong refuted claims by the Counsel of the accused he had been coached by the prosecution to come framed up Osei. He denied assertions from the Defence Counsel that he had been removed from the Opeibea intersection because of his incompetence in directing the traffic at the place.

Mr Isaac Afoani, personnel of the Community Protection Unit (CPU) and second prosecution witness said three of them were posted to the Opeibea intersection that day to drive out the hawkers selling on the street and pavements around the area.

He said he was standing on the middle pavement of the road when he heard the siren of the President's convoy so he got closer and the saw the Police stopping all vehicles.

He said when the first three dispatch rider's of the President's convoy passed, all of a sudden he saw the accused's car over took another car in front of him at top speed and when the Policeman raised his hands to stop him he did not obey and ran into President's car. He said immediately after the accident he saw the President's security with help of other people around pulled the President from the wreckage and put him another car and left.

He said he also saw the Policeman who was directing the traffic at the Opeibea intersection held the accused for driving into the President's car.

The third prosecution witness, Rev. King Joe Osei Kufour of the All Faith Ministries said he was from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and was coming to the Opeibea interaction to make a "U" turn.

He said as he approached the intersection he heard the siren of the President's convoy and stopped.

He said he was waiting for the convoy to pass when he heard a screeching sound of a vehicle coming from the Stanbic Bank direction and ran into the President's car.

He said because of the speed of Osei car the President vehicle fell on its side, hit a light pole and landed on the side of his GTI Golf car with registration number GW8750X.

He said he saw that the door of the President's car was jammed and it was his security who forced it open.

Rev. Kufour said he also managed to force his door open and was later sent together with the President's driver to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.