Father to report on mental status of his son

Accra, Jan. 22, GNA- An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday ordered the father of a remand prisoner to produce relevant documents on his son's state of mind before the son was sentenced.

The court's order came after Desmond Osei's father had told the court sat over by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh that his son was expelled from the Ghana Armed Forces because of mental illness and was receiving medical attention at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

Osei, 27, is standing trial for using the military uniforms unlawfully and deceiving a public officer.

He pleaded guilty but he was remanded into police custody to produce relevant document confirming his state of mind. He will reappear on the 28th of January.

His father said: "My son has been hospitalised at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for the same illness," Osei's father told the court. Osei's father produced a card indicating that he had visited the hospital but the court after inspecting it rejected it because accused had not been examined by any doctor at the Psychiatric Hospital The court was of the view that "if accused had any records at any of the hospitals he could have produced them earlier to the Police," The accused was remanded in custody so that the necessary documents would be made available for the court to decide on him. It noted that most people have been using the military uniforms to commit various heinous crimes in the metropolis hence the need to confirm the accused state of mind.

Police Inspector Bennette Sarfo told the court that on December 6 last year, at about 1800 hours, the complainant Sergeant Emmanuel Vogbe and his colleagues of the Ghana Armed Forces, Accra went on patrol duties. On their rounds, Osei was spotted in military camouflage uniform at a drinking spot at Abeka Lapaz, Accra.

Prosecution said Sgt Vogbe and his colleagues confronted him and accused told them that he was a Lance Corporal serving with the 64 Infantry Regiment but he was unable to produce his identity card. The prosecutor said investigation indicated that accused was an ex-service man who had been warned not to wear the military uniform but went ahead and took his brother's uniform without his consent. 22 Jan. 04