The driver of the articulated truck that caused the death of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai MCE Alfred Amoah and his driver has been remanded into police custody.
The 32-year-old driver whose identity is yet to be made public was hauled before the Kibi Circuit Court on Wednesday, 14 July 2022.
He has been charged with careless and inconsiderate driving contrary to Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 (Act 683) as amended by Act 2008 Act 761, and negligently causing harm contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29.
The court is yet to take the plea of the accused person.
Police preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the articulated truck with registration number AS 4229 X was speeding and decided to suddenly apply brakes on seeing vehicles ahead of him slowing down.
The truck veered off its lane into the vehicle of the MCE, resulting in the death Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai MCE and his driver, Samuel Gyasi.
When the case was called on Wednesday, the prosecution led by Detective Inspector Kamal Salifu Gumah, prayed for the court to remand the accused, to allow ample time for further investigations.
According to the prosecutor, the case docket would be forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for advice after investigations are completed.
The court presided by Peter Oppong-Boahen subsequently remanded the accused and adjourned the case to Wednesday, July 20.
Background
On Wednesday, July 13, the sudden death of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai MCE, Alfred Amoah, and his personal driver hit the media space, with many expressing their deepest condolences.
The accident which involved multiple vehicles reportedly occurred at Apedwa near Tafo in the Eastern Region.
Western North Regional Minister, Richard Rocky Joojo Obeng who confirmed receiving the sad news barely hours after he and MCE Alfred Amoah parted ways from a meeting in Accra, told Graphic Online he was yet to be given details of what really happened.
“He was with me this afternoon. He just left my company around 4:00 pm. Yes, he was with me in Accra,” he said, indicating they were together at an official meeting.
Government officials, including ministers and deputies, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executive officers, chief executive officers appointed by the President and presidential staffers have been attending a five-day retreat to discuss the national economy and to take stock of programmes.
The retreat which started last Friday discussed the various flagship programmes of the government and the reason for accessing an IMF programme, as well as reviewed the cost-cutting measures announced at the last Cabinet meeting in March this year.
Social media accounts of the accident, as well as images emanating from what is thought to be the accident scene, suggest MCE Alfred Amoah and his driver may have died on the spot, while the occupants of the other vehicles were taken to the Kibi government hospital for care.
The MCE was travelling in his Nissan Patrol with a registration number GN 2060 – 18 along with his driver, with the other accident vehicles identified as a trailer with registration number, As 4229 – X and a fuel tanker with registration number, GN – 8549 – X.