Thursday, February 25, 2010

TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING POLICEMAN (PAGE 20, JAN 22, 2010)

A KOFORIDUA taxi driver who severely assaulted a policeman on duty resulting in his loss of two teeth has been arrested.
The driver, Richard Akoto, who was driving a taxi with registration number ER 440 W pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light in Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light last weekend.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, has been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He has already appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court on the motor offence and the case adjourned to January 21, this year.
Sergeant Ayisah, who was being treated at the Regional Hospitalin Koforidua, said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station in the centre of the town, Akoto, who was fond of driving through the red light, sped through the red light but instead of arresting him he only cautioned him not to that again.
He said on January 14, this year, the suspect again ignored the red light signal and drove through so he (Sergeant Ayisah) arrested him.
Sergeant Ayisah stated that while he was taking Akoto in his (Akoto’s) vehicle to the police headquarters, he diverted the course, parked the vehicle and removed the ignition key and attempted to run away.
Sergeant Ayisah said he held the suspect, who then assaulted him severely during which he lost two teeth in the upper jaw.
He said Akoto was later apprehended and sent to the regional police headquarters.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the Circuit Court in Koforidua on the motor offence, would again appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault, which his unit was investigating.

No comments: