I followed all internal procedures in handling of Osei's sample - Doctor

Accra, Feb. 27, GNA - Dr. Nana Okine Brako, Medical Officer in-charge of the clinic at the Bureau of National Investigations, on Wednesday rejected claims from defence counsel that the procedure of custody for the documentation of a sample of urine of the man who drove into the Presidential convoy was not followed.

He said he followed all internal procedures to ensure that the urine sample of the accused was not adulterated. Dr Brako, the eighth prosecution witness (PW), made the assertion during cross-examination by Mr Kwame Boafo-Akuffo, counsel for Thomas Osei, the man who drove into the President's car. The President escaped unhurt. He said the blood sample which was taken to Med-Lab could not be used because the laboratory did not have appropriate equipment to do the testing.

Dr Brako refuted claims by Mr Akuffo that it was easy for somebody to contaminate Osei's urine. This is because he was present when the sample was taken and when it was handed over to Med-Lab director. He said even though there was no written evidence to indicate receipt and handing over of the sample for testing, Osei was present when the sample was received and handed over.

Asked by defence counsel what he did with the earlier blood sample that he took from the accused, he said he discarded it at the BNI Clinic.

Osei, 51, a businessman, has been charged with five counts of motor traffic offences, use of narcotic drugs and failing to change the ownership of the vehicle.

The charges are dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to Presidential siren and the use of narcotic drugs. Osei has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.