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Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 2 August 2016

Source: ultimatefmonline.com

Driver manhandles Police Officer

Taxi (file photo) Taxi (file photo)

A 25-year-old taxi driver, Ibrahim Suley, has been arrested by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Eastern regional Police Command for assaulting a Community Police Assistant with the MTTD whiles on duty.

The driver was put before Court on Monday and fined.

The Prosecutor Alex Nanfam told the court that, on July 23, 2016 at about 9:am, the Eastern regional Police MTTD commander, ACP Ebenezer Larbi, whiles on traffic duty with his men in the New Juaben Municipality arrested the driver for not fastening his seat belt.

The Police subsequently intercepted the Opel Taxi with registration number GS 5336 -Z driven by the Ibrahim Suley.

A community Police Assistant Joe Tetteh, was ordered by the MTTD commander to take the driver to the regional police headquarters to write caution statement.

However, whiles on the way, the accused with recklessly changed route and drove the police officer to Koforidua Zongo, manhandled the police officer, threw him out of the car and sped off.

According to the Prosecutor, the accused was later arrested and charged with dangerous driving, assault by imprisonment and failing to fasten seat belt and put before court.

The driver pleaded guilty to the offences hence, fined GHC360 in default serves three months imprisonment by the Koforidua Circuit Court B, presided over by Abdul – Razak Musah.

Speaking to Ultimate News, Regional MTTD Commander ACP Ebenezer Larbi explained that, drivers in the regional capital especially taxi drivers have become hostile to Police officers on duty, manhandling some of them.

He said three of such incidents have occurred this year.

He cautioned that, MTTD will prosecute any driver who obstructs police officers from carrying out their duties.