Driver and mate before court for an alleged murder over 40 Ghana pesewas

Nsawam, Aug. 18, GNA - An Nsawam Magistrate's Court on Monday remanded Tugah Raphael 25, a driver and his mate Ayeh Kwame 20, in police custody for allegedly murdering a passenger, Mawuli Avagah. They pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on September 16. Police Chief Inspector Anthony Oppong, prosecuting told the court presided over by Mr Wilberforce Mensah that on August 15, this year, the deceased was travelling from Nsawam to Suhum with his mother on the vehicle driven by Tugah.

He said when the vehicle reached Okanta near Nsawam, Ayeh demanded the lorry fare and the deceased gave him 40 Ghana pesewas instead of 80 Ghana pesewas being the fares for both of them.

The prosecution said this led to a misunderstanding between the accused persons and the deceased during which they beat up the deceased until he became unconscious.

Police Chief Inspector Oppong said with the condition of the deceased, the accused persons tried to run away but his mother raised the alarm and some people came to their aid and sent the deceased to Nsawam Government Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

He said the accused persons were arrested for investigations and charged with the offence while the corpse had been deposited at Police Hospital morgue in Accra for autopsy.