Police file charges against Sosu; expected in court on November 8
The Ghana Police Service has filed charges against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, for “unlawful road blockade and destruction of public property”.
“The police have obtained criminal summons and have been duly served for him [Sosu] to appear in court on 8 November,” ACP Kwesi Ofori, the director-general of the Ghana Police Service, told a press conference on Wednesday, November 3.
The high-ranking police official said the lawmaker is now charged “obstructing public highway and causing damage to public property.”
The police have pursued Sosu over his involvement in a protest in his constituency which the police say, led to an “unlawful road blockade and destruction of public property”.
Sosu, who is a first-time parliamentarian, is expected to appear before a court on November 8.
The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had written to the Speaker on 27 October 2021 requesting the release of the MP.
However, in a response, issued through the deputy director of legal services, Nana Tawiah Okyir, the Speaker said: “I am directed by the Rt Hon Speaker to inform you that proceedings of the 3rd Meeting of the 1st Session of the 8th Parliament commenced on Tuesday 26 October 2021 and having regard to the limitations of Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic, he is unable to release the Member of Parliament as requested in your letter.”
At the beginning of this week, Inspector Daniel Agbavor, the police guard previously assigned to protect Sosu was interdicted for alleged misconduct.
A police statement said Inspector Agbavor was interdicted for allegedly driving into a crowd last Monday (October 25, 2021) following a protest over the poor state of roads which was led by the MP.
The statement said the incident was officially reported by two senior Police officers whose lives along with other civilians were endangered by the act.
“He is alleged to have recklessly driven into a crowd after a protest last Monday, 25th October 2021, in the Madina Constituency, directly endangering the lives of two Senior Officers and other civilians,” the statement signed by Director-General, Public Affairs of Police, ACP Kwesi Ofori said.