A Renowned Human Rights and Public Interest Lawyer, Francis Xavier Kojo Sosu on Monday, January 25 fought for the release of Mr. Godwin Owusu who was wrongfully charged for murder by the Madina District Magistrate Court and was remanded into police cells for the past one year.
Mr. Owusu, a carpenter who lives at New Site, Adentan in the Greater Accra Region was arrested on January 19, 2015 for allegedly murdering one Kwabena Asante. He was subsequently remanded into police custody because the victim could not afford the services of a lawyer to defend him.
According to the facts of the case, the suspect returned from work and saw a man, now deceased, in his room. When he enquired about how he got into his room, a struggle ensued between the two whereupon the deceased bit the chest of the accused.
Sensing danger, the accused screamed for help which attracted some neighbours who came to his rescue, but assaulted the victim.
After overpowering the victim, Mr. Owusu put the deceased in a taxi and sent him to the Adentan Police Station to make a formal report on the matter, but because the deceased was bleeding profusely, a medical form was issued to him, but the man passed on later at the hospital.
The complainant now turned accused was charged with murder and because he could not afford the services of a lawyer, was remanded into police custody.
After keenly analysing and evaluating the substance of the case, Lawyer Sosu offered to represent the accused in court for free for the past eight months.
Arguing in court, counsel for the accused stated among others that the continued detention of his client violated his fundamental human rights, especially, when the facts presented did not support the charge of murder.
“Besides, the accused was very ill, he had become pale and the investigator confirmed that he had some infections around his private parts. Infections he contracted from the cells while on remand,” he stated.
Giving her ruling in court after carefully examining the substance of the case, the Magistrate in charge of the Madina Magistrate Court, Her Worship Priscilla Daapah Meriaku discharged the accused person and ordered his immediate release from police cells.
<<Print>>