Court orders TV3 cameraman to appear in court

An Accra High Court trying six Police Officers for their complicity in the May 9 Accra Sports Stadium Disaster on Thursday ordered Mr S. G. Asare, Head of Human Resource of TV3, to ask a TV cameraman with the company to appear before it.

The court order followed the failure of Mr Agyeman Aboagye, the Camerman, to appear before it to testify in the case.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Yaw Appau warned that the Court would apply force if the Witness refused to appear before it.

It further asked the Courts' Registrar to notify the Head of Human Resource before 1400 hours on Thursday so that Witness would appear in court on Friday, May 23.

Mr Justice Appau expressed regret about the behaviour of the Witness saying such attitudes prolonged cases before courts and apologised to the accused persons for the adjournments.

When sitting resumed on Thursday, Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney, told the court that the TV Cameraman had failed to attend court.

"I am constrained to apply for a court summons on Mr Aboagye since he has failed to heed our calls. He has since been served with a subpoena but has not heeded to our call. I think Witness is trying to be recalcitrant."

When the Court sough details from Mr Hanson Gove, the investigator in the case, he said he had been to Witness' office to invite him to court.

The officers on trial are John Asare Naami, Faakyi Kumi, Frank Awuah, Francis Aryee, Benjamin B. Bakomora, all Assistant Superintendent of Police and Chief Superintendent of Police, Koranteng Mintah.

They have been charged with 127 counts of manslaughter. All the officers, who have denied the charges, are on 20 million cedis bail each with two sureties.

Hearing continues on May 23.