Dispute delays Osei trial

Accra, April 3 GNA - The proceedings at the trial of Thomas Osei, the man who drove into the President's car was on Thursday delayed for about forty minutes due to disagreements between the defence and prosecution. The dispute arose when Mr Kwame Boafo Akuffo, Counsel for Osei suggested to a witness Mr Cosmos Allan Anyan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID) that he did not drive in his official car to accused's house.

Counsel said Mr Anyan rather joined Dr Brako Okai, a medical officer at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI's) in his private car. Mr Anyan being the ninth Prosecution Witness (PW) testifying in the case denied the suggestion. Mr Edward Agyeman, Chief State Attorney objected to the defence suggestion.

Mr Akuffo however, insisted that his question was right and fundamental for him to prove his case and that he would not continue with the trial unless the problem was rectified.

"My Lord, the court recording system is not working properly, the machine is defective, I cannot rely on this machine to work," Mr Akuffo maintained.

Mr Justice Emmanuel K. Ayebi, who was presiding had to intervene and he sent for the IT officer at the courts who came to rectify the problem and replayed portions of the records that generated the dispute. DSP Anyan answering further questions from Defence Counsel said the Police team, including the BNI could not search accused's office because his business partner, one Wilson had taken the key away. He said the accused was present when the urine container was opened and volunteer to give sample for the laboratory test. He denied claims by Defence that Dr Okai who sat in the private car could substitute the urine of the accused with foreign substance since he (Anyan) left Dr Okai in the car alone.

Osei, 51, a businessman, has been charged with five counts of motor traffic offences, use of narcotic drugs and failing to change ownership of the vehicle, dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to Presidential siren and the use of narcotic drugs. The President escaped unhurt.

Osei has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The case is adjourned to April 7, this year.