Trial of six police officers begins

An Accra High Court yesterday began hearing the case involving the six police officers who were indicted by the Okudzeto Commission that inquired into the Accra Sports Stadium tragedy.

They are Mr John Naami, Mr Faakye Kumi, Mr Frank Awuah, Mr Frank Aryee, Mr B.B Bakomora, all Assistant Superintendent of Police and Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Koranteng Mintah.

They have pleaded not guilty to 127 counts of manslaughter and are on a ?20 million bail each with two sureties .

The trial judge, Mr Justice Yaw Appau, advised the seven-member jury that the matter has attracted media and public attention and stressed the need for them to take decisions and also give verdicts based on only proceedings from the court.

Mr Justice Appau also advised that any of the members, who has a personal ambition in the matter should vacate the seat before the commencement of the trial.

The defence team led by Mr Owusu Fordjour, told the court that all the accused persons have denied the charges, which, he said, meant that his clients had not committed any offence.

Mr Johnny Kulendy, another counsel for the defence, who associated himself with Mr Fordjour's position, said the second accused was a Communication Officer while the third accused was also an assistant secretary to the Inspector General of Police who had then closed from work, but was at the stadium to watch the match when they were entangled in the event.

Mr William Ofori Boafo, counsel for Chief Superintendent Koranteng pointed out that the accused persons did not take any arms to the stadium and that they did not fire a single arm.

Mr Boafo asked why those, who fired the arms were rather not brought to court and that innocent people who did not commit any of the offences against anyone or the state should be prosecuted.

Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney told the court that on May 9 2001, a premier league match was played between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.

He said a few minutes to the end of the match which Hearts of Oak won by 2-1, fans at the North Stand now "May Nine" stand, started destroying the plastic chairs at the stand which they threw and other missiles into the inner perimeter thus compelling the police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas to control the crowd.

Mr Gyambiby said as a result, there was a stampede and 127 people lost their lives.

He said autopsy conducted on the dead showed that they perished from traumatic asphyxia and fractural injuries. President John Agyekum Kufuor set up the commission to investigate the incident, which is the worst sports disaster in Ghana's history.

The case has been adjourned to March 21.