Abdul Mummin Issah
THE METROPOLITAN Chief Executive (MCE) for Sekondi-Takoradi, Abdul Mummin Issah who was arrested for an alleged motor traffic offence, verbal assault and offensive conduct against a police officer performing his lawful duty, was hauled before the Takoradi Circuit Court ‘A’ yesterday.
The embattled MCE, who was arrested on Thursday, February 3, 2022, was charged with assault of police officer, offensive conduct and disturbing the peace of public place.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The court, presided over by His Honour, Michael Ampadu, granted him bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties.
Lead Counsel
Prior to the court’s decision, the lead counsel for the accused, Samuel Agbota, prayed the court to grant his client bail since all the offences were bailable. According to him, the accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges and that he is innocent until proven guilty.
He told the court that since the MCE was arrested, he has been cooperating and assisting the police in their investigations, adding that the accused will not jump bail.
He then asked the court to exercise its unfettered discretion and grant the accused bail.
Facts of the Case
Giving the facts of the case to the court, Supt Emmanuel Basintele said the complainant is Inspector Andrews Sarfo, a police officer stationed at the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) in Takoradi.
He said on February 2, 2022, at about 8:30pm, the complainant was on duty at the Kwesimintsim cemetery snap check point together with two other police men.
While on their lawful duty, a Nissan Pajero 4X4 with registration number GE 5615–20, driven by the accused person, emerged from the Takoradi direction on top speed towards the Kwesimintsim direction.
The complainant signaled the accused person to stop but he could not control his speed and nearly knocked the complainant at the check point.
MCE’s Insults
According to the prosecutor, the complainant approached the accused and questioned him as to why the dangerous driving.
He said the accused because of his position, became offensive because the complainant was performing his lawful duty.
The accused started abusing the complainant verbally with insults to wit “Stupid police officer”, “Ugly, I will beat you to death. I will transfer you to Enchi”.
Accused Resist Arrest
The prosecutor said the complainant decided to apprehend the accused for his conduct but the MCE resisted the arrest.
Due to the behaviour of the accused person, the complainant had no option than to call the night patrol team.
“Upon the arrival of the patrol team, they got to know that the accused was the MCE of Sekondi-Takoradi. They allowed him to go but to report to the Regional Police Commander the following day,” the prosecutor disclosed.
The prosecutor noted that on February 3, 2022, at about 10am, a team that was at the snap check point reported the matter to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for investigations.
He said at about 12:45pm same day, the accused was arrested and subsequently charged with the offences.
2nd Case
Immediately after the court granted bail to the accused, the MCE was called into ‘the box’ for a second case in which the accused has been charged with careless driving and causing danger to road users.
The MCE pleaded not guilty and the court granted him a self recognizance bail.
Judge Reprimands Public Officers
Before granting the bail, the presiding judge, His Honour Michael Ampadu warned that the court will not deal leniently with anybody who tries to prevent the police from carrying out their lawful duties.
He pointed out that the duties of police officers were difficult and so they should not be discouraged from performing their lawful duties but rather they should be encouraged.
He cited an instance where his driver was arrested for wrong parking and when he arrived at the scene he did not say because he was a judge the police should allow his driver to go. Rather, he allowed the law to take its course.
He then adjourned the case to March 17, 2022.
FROM Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi