Preacher jailed 5 years for vandalism at Parliament House

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a preacher, Christopher Kofi Okyere Sorkpa, to five years in prison for vandalising the windscreens of vehicles at Parliament House.  

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and causing unlawful damage and was handed the sentence by the presiding judge, Samuel Bright Asiedu.

His accomplice, 41-year-old Wisdom Ahli, who faces the same charges, has been remanded into police custody. The prosecution, led by Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi, informed the court that Ahli’s charges required amendments and requested an adjournment. The case has been adjourned to January 9, 2025.

Prosecution’s facts

According to the prosecution, the complainants, Inspector Adu Yeboah and Aaron Awuah, are police officers stationed at Parliament House. 

On December 18, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m., Sorkpa and Ahli sneaked into the Parliament House car park. Sorkpa, carrying a handbag concealing an earth chisel, used the tool to damage the windscreens of two Toyota V8 vehicles, two Toyota Camry saloon cars, and one Rav 4 vehicle belonging to Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Service staff.

Ahli was reportedly praising Sorkpa as he caused the damage. Both men were arrested and admitted to the offence in their caution statements, given in the presence of an independent witness.

Superintendent Yirenkyi stated, “After investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offences and arraigned before this honourable court.”