Passenger in court for harming driver

A 30-year-old trader, Peter Dwamena, who seriously injured a driver over a transport fare, has been remanded in prison custody by the Asamankese Circuit court.

Dwamena, who pleaded not guilty to intentional and unlawful causing harm to the driver, Opoku Acheampong, would re-appear on November 24, 2008.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Brew told the court presided over by Mr Kofi Akrowiah that on October 20, this year, Dwamena and a witness in the case boarded a vehicle from Accra to Koforidua.

He said on reaching Suhum, the driver transferred the two men onto another vehicle driven by Acheampong since they were the only passenger remaining in the bus.

Shortly after driving away, the new driver demanded fares from the two passengers but they refused to pay since they had already paid the first driver from Accra and claimed that the second driver should have collected his share of the fare from the first driver.

The driver then stopped and asked the two men to get down if they were not prepared to pay the fare.

Prosecution said Dwamena alighted but removed the vehicle's ignition key and when the driver demanded the return of the key, it resulted in a scuffle between them.

He said the driver in the process sustained multiple injuries on the head and chin and fell unconscious.

Chief Inspector Brew said Dwamena realising what had happened to the driver took to his heels but was pursued and arrested. The injured driver was rushed to the Suhum Government hospital where he was admitted.

He said Dwamena in his cautioned statement to the police admitted the offence and after investigations he was processed for court.

Source: GNA