Ashiyie: Man whose gate electrocuted boy jailed 10 years

Richmond Laweh, a caretaker, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a High Court in Accra after his makeshift gate, connected to an illegal electrical source, electrocuted a 14-year-old boy, Samuel Darko, at Ampomah near Ashiyie.

Laweh had unlawfully tapped electricity to an uncompleted building and connected a copper wire from this setup to a makeshift gate blocking a commonly used footpath on two plots of land where he was squatting. Darko was fatally electrocuted when he attempted to open the gate.

A jury of seven members unanimously found Laweh guilty of manslaughter after deliberation. During the trial, Laweh, who worked as a mason, denied intentionally electrifying the gate, claiming he had hired a professional electrician to handle the illegal electrical connection to his residence.

Prosecution’s Case and Sentencing
The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkrah, presented four witnesses to support their case. Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, who presided over the trial, acknowledged Laweh's cooperation and his status as a first-time offender. However, the court emphasized the recklessness of his actions, stating that every adult should understand the dangers posed by electricity.

Justice Simmons also criticized the lack of investigation into the illegal electrical connection, noting that further charges might have been brought against Laweh had this aspect been thoroughly examined. The court lamented the missed opportunity to educate the public about the hazards of illegal electricity connections.

Defense and Mitigation Plea
Laweh’s defense counsel argued that he had no intention of causing harm and pleaded for leniency. In response, the prosecution highlighted the irreversible loss of a young life due to Laweh’s careless actions. The court was urged to impose a deterrent sentence to discourage similar reckless behavior.

The father of the deceased, present at the hearing, expressed relief at the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of being mindful of actions that could result in such tragic outcomes.

Details of the Incident
According to the prosecution, Laweh had blocked a commonly used pathway with a makeshift gate constructed from wire mesh and had secretly electrified it by running a copper wire underground from his house to the gate. No warnings or signs indicated that the gate was electrified, creating a hidden danger for anyone attempting to use the path.

On June 20, 2019, the victim, accompanied by a friend, Ruth Tetteh, attempted to pass through the pathway. When Darko touched the gate to open it, he was electrocuted and collapsed, screaming. Tetteh, unable to help, ran to inform the boy’s family. By the time they arrived at the scene, Darko was unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy confirmed electrocution as the cause of death.

The tragic case underscores the severe consequences of illegal electrical connections and the need for stringent measures to prevent such incidents.