Prosecution closes case on Osei

Accra, June 12, GNA - The prosecution in the trial of Thomas Osei, the man who drove into the President's car, closed its case on Thursday after 14 prosecution witnesses had testified. Mr Edward Agyeman Doudu, the Chief State Attorney, told an Accra Fast Track High Court that the prosecution had finished with all its witnesses.

Major (Dr) Thomas Aquinas Ghireh and Dr Benson Boadi, both resident surgeons at the 37 Military Hospital, explained to the court what was contained in the medical reports of Pastor Osei Kufour, owner of VW Golf car, which was also involved in the accident, and Mr Emmanuel Osarfo Addo, the president's driver.

Major (Dr) Gbireh said he first saw Pastor Osei Kufuor on November 15, 2007 when he came for a medical review after the accident the previous day.

He said Pastor Kufuor complained of pains at the back of the neck, left shoulder and left arm.

Major (Dr) Gbireh said he listened to the complaints, reviewed the case and gave him additional treatment after which he was discharged and asked to come back on November 22 for another review.

He said during that review Pastor Kufuor noted that the pains at the back of the neck had gone down but the pain at the left shoulder was not gone.

He said an X-ray showed there was no fracture despite few swellings at the place.

When asked by Mr Kwame Akuffo, counsel for Osei, whether he was aware that Pastor Kufuor was involved in an accident with the President on November 14, Major (Dr) Ghireh said he only heard of the President's accident on November 15 when Pastor Kufuor came to the hospital for a medical review.

He said at the time the crash victims were brought to the accident ward he was at the theatre and did not hear of it when he left for home that evening.

Asked whether the injuries of Pastor Kufuor were so bad he needed somebody to support him when he was discharged after treatment, he answered in the negative.

Major (Dr) Gbireh also rejected claims by Mr Akuffo which seemed to suggest that he had been influenced by media reports when he was writing the medical report.

Dr Boadi who treated Mr Addo said he was at the theatre when they had a call from their superior officer that the President had been involved in an accident.

He said Mr Addo, who was brought to the accident ward complained of pains at the back of the neck, the forearm and left thigh. He said he requested for x-ray for the areas treated and discharged him and asked him to come for a medical review the following day. Asked by Mr Akuffo why Mr Addo should come for a medical review, Dr Boadi said the review was done to see if other complications could come up as a result of the accident.

He said his findings after the examination of the patient showed that there were contusion of the soft tissue in the areas but there was no fracture.

Asked by Mr Akuffo whether it was important to take the medical background of the patient into consideration when examining him, Dr Boadi said his task was to ensure that the patient was relieved of his immediate pain at the back of the neck, forearm and thigh. "Being a clinician for me an accident is an accident, it does not matter the personality involved," he added. Meanwhile, Mr Akuffo has requested for a Court order to enable him have unfettered access to his client at the Cantonment Police cells. Thomas 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. 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. The President escaped unhurt. Osei has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and is still on remand. The case has been adjourned to June 27, this month. 12 June 08