Kuntunse alleged COP murderer remanded by court

A police officer accused of fatally shooting a driver during a dispute over transportation fare at Kuntunse Satellite, near Amasaman in Accra, has been remanded in custody by the Kaneshie District Court.

General Constable Smith Gyekyi, charged with murder, appeared in court without legal representation. 

The presiding judge, Ms. Ama Adomako Kwakye, did not accept the plea from the 25-year-old officer, who is assigned to the International Relations Unit of the Ghana Police Service, as investigations are still ongoing.

Chief Inspector Apewah Achana, leading the prosecution, requested that Gyekyi be remanded to allow further investigation into the incident. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 9, 2024.

According to the facts presented in court, the incident occurred on Sunday, August 18, 2024, around 4:00 AM. The police received a report that a man had been shot dead in front of Koans Estate at Kuntunse Satellite.

The prosecution further explained that Gyekyi had been using his personal car, with registration number GW 5459-21, as a commercial vehicle. 

He picked up a passenger, Esther Owusua, from Ablekuma Joma and was driving her to Koans Estate Kuntunse Satellite around 3:00 AM.

During the journey, Owusua, a witness in the case, became lost and contacted Ahadzi, who agreed to meet them at the entrance of Koans Estate.

When Ahadzi arrived at the gate, a dispute arose between him and Gyekyi over the fare. The argument escalated, leading Gyekyi to draw his firearm. He initially fired a warning shot and then fatally shot Ahadzi.