Driver and Mate Convicted for Assaulting Passenger Over 1GHC

By Charles Bosomtwe-Annor

October 22, 2023. Accra: In a recent courtroom drama that unfolded in Kwabenya last Wednesday, a trotro driver and his mate have been ordered to pay fines of GHc 1,200.00 each for assaulting a passenger during a dispute over one Ghana cedi.

The accused, identified as driver’s mate Al Rashid Alhassan, and his master, Francis Owusu, the trotro driver, were brought before the Madina District Court One on October 17, 2023.

The incident occurred during an evening commute on October 9, 2023, sending shockwaves through the local community.

The victim is Isaac Frimpong, a dispenser at Dunkino Clinic and resident in Kwabenya, who found himself at the heart of a distressing altercation.

The unfortunate incident began when Mr. Frimpong boarded the trotro mini-bus, registration number GG 191-16, at TF junction, aiming to reach Atomic Down, both suburbs in Accra. However, a minor disagreement over change escalated into a full-blown confrontation.

Mr. Frimpong was dissatisfied that he was provided GHC 3.00 out of his GHC 10.00 payment, instead of 4. He requested the outstanding one cedi, triggering a heated argument. The driver Francis Owusu, a resident of Agboba, then made an abrupt stop, disembarked from his driver’s seat, and joined his mate in physically removing Mr. Frimpong from the vehicle.

The driver’s mate Alhassan, a resident of Taifa, forcibly seized the complainant’s bag and tossed it on the ground, causing substantial damage to his belongings, including his iPhone 11 Pro Max. The situation rapidly spiraled out of control as the accused individuals subjected Mr. Frimpong to severe physical assault before abandoning him on the roadside.

Upon reporting the incident to the authorities, Mr. Frimpong was provided with a medical report, which revealed a significant 6cm deep laceration on his scalp, highlighting the severity of the assault.

The accused parties were apprehended on the same day and brought before the Madina District Court One.

During the court proceedings, Inspector Joyce Ninsin, representing the prosecution, drew attention to the recurrent issue of unruly behavior among drivers and their mates. She urged the court to deliver a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to others in the public transportation sector.

The presiding judge, Her Worship Rosemary Abena Gyimah, delivered the verdict, ordering the accused parties to pay fines of GHc 1,200.00 each. Failure to comply would result in a 6-month imprisonment sentence. This ruling serves as a critical reminder of the significance of accountability and the imperative need to prevent such incidents within the public transportation sector.

The case has prompted discussions within the community regarding the safety of commuters and the necessity for stricter measures to curb similar occurrences in the future. As the story continues to unravel, it underscores the importance of ensuring the protection and well-being of passengers in public transport systems.