Judge expresses concern about conduct of investigators

Tema, Feb. 25, GNA- A Tema Circuit Court Judge on Wednesday expressed concern about the conduct of some police investigators at Ashaiman police station who did not see it as their duty to bring remand prisoners to court for trial.

Where such remand prisoners are brought to court, the investigators do not see it prudent to summon their witnesses to appear in court for trial to begin.

Mr Stephen Teye, presiding over Circuit Court "B" was addressing three investigators from Ashaiman whom he gave a court order for them to appear before the court.

The Judge cited a number of dockets where accused persons have been remanded for two weeks but are made to spend several months without any excuse from investigators who do not appear in court at all. He said from November 3, 2003, up till now, Musah Ibrahim, a scrap dealer and Ayeku Ocansey, a driver's mate who were remanded into prison custody for two weeks have not been brought to court for trial. There have been several adjournments because investigators have not made any attempt to bring the accused persons for trial, and no explanation was offered except for the prosecutors to say "they have not been brought from prison".

Musah Ibrahim and Ayeku Ocansey were remanded in custody when they pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a mower machine valued at 4.5 million cedis.

Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi had told the court that on October 31, 2003, at about 0600 hours, the accused persons allegedly broke into Ghana Emulsion Company yard and made away with a mower machine. Accused persons took the machine to Ashaiman and sold it to a witness at 800,000 cedis. The witness became suspicious about the two and asked them to come for the money later in the day.

Inspector Gyamfi had said a report was made to the police, and as they came to collect their money, they were arrested and sent to Ashaiman police station. The case has been adjourned for hearing on March 23.