According to my diary, the coming weekend was average; court in Bekwai and funeral in Berekum as Head of family-but as God would have it, matters turned out well beyond my dreams.
I have this very ubiquitous friend, here today, over there tomorrow, fabulously very rich but extremely unassuming. When you see him in his regular daily wear – very simple shirt over khaki shorts and some chalewote, and if anybody tells you he is billionaire, you will dispute it. His nickname is Solid Rock. On average, I see him about three times a year.
My phone rang, it was Solid Rock on the line.
“Captain, I want you to stop whatever you are doing and go to court in Bekwai Ashanti on Thursday, August 8 for bail in a murder case…..”
After a short prayer we sparked the car at exactly 0400hrs and left my Kasoa residence, Thursday, August 8, heading west, objective, Bekwai. We were only three in the car -myself, driver and an assistant.
Almighty God has saved me from 66 motor accidents, so anytime I sit in a car, I just doze off, like I did that Thursday, dawn as we drove past Winneba-Mankessim and hit the Assin Fosu Highway.
When my eyes opened, it was daylight, about 6:50am, and we were in Assin Fosu. The road from there onwards is very good, asphalt, and we passed through several Assin villages.
Wait a minute – there is this famous lawyer, Chief Nana Prah Agyensaim II, who has built a must-see Palace in Assin Kushea – can we take advantage and go there?
We got to a police check point.
“Officer, Good morning, can you show us the way to Assin Kushea? “
“Oh, two villages away turn left, 12 kilometres.”
Just as we were entering Assin Praso, we saw a signboard – Assin Kushea 12 km so we turned – the road was narrow but tarred, very good. I saw plenty cocoa farms on the way, left and right, and after about four villages, we entered Assin Kushea.
I saw a palatial gate, and my instincts told me this is the place, but we passed on, into the town and upon enquiries we were directed to the front building with the palatial gate. A lonely uniformed man opened the gate after we explained that we were curious people wanting to see the so much-talked-about Palace. He escorted us about 100 metres in a triumphal route to the Inner Perimeter Gate – reader, wow!!! Some two man-sized warriors holding lions at either side, with spears, then the Royal Gate swung open and we entered.
Executive well-trimmed gardens on either side usher you to this Palace, built like a typical English Castle, about four storeys high with all manner of decorations.
You may not agree with me, but as we were driving out, I felt a twinge of sadness – the whole majestic environment looked like a MUSEUM – no sign of human life – why? No sign of Palace Guards, Palace Attendants, Linguists, sub chiefs, nothing at all.
All too soon we were back in Assin Praso, the legendary crossing point where King Osei Tutu, Asantehene, was killed, while crossing River Pra. The other side is Ashanti Region, the forest reserve, New Edubiase and Fomena and onward, till we hit BEKWAI.
We first went to the Bekwai Circuit Court and the Registrar directed us to the District Court, near the Fire Service. We got there at about 9am and the Magistrate took his seat not long after. I was told to wait. My client was being brought from the cells. Murder case.
The average person may not know, but there is this rule in law that if you assault somebody and the person dies within one year and a day you are guilty of MURDER.
In this case, my client, Kwadwo Owusu, had a scuffle with Kwabena Amos who was holding a cutlass. They both reported the incident to the Police at Dompoase and forgot about the case. Three months later, Kwabena Amos, a farmer complained of dizziness, and died at Dompoase Hospital. The Pathologist Report says he died probably due to head injury.
Since two lawyers had already tried to get bail and had failed, I was not sure I will succeed, but I did my best, quoting the Constitution quoting the case of Martin Kpebu and Attorney General and so on.
Needless to say the court did not mind me. Bail refused. Accused to remain in custody. Yes, next case!!
From Bekwai we drove on to Kumasi, with me deeply asleep, we continued, onward, Bechem, Sunyani and came to my home, Berekum. Tomorrow I will attend the funeral of 122-year-old woman, Grace Amoah.
By Nkrabeah Effah Dartey