An Accra High Court has granted bail of GH₵200,000 each to four individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in the train accident at Abortia in the Volta Region.
Presided over by Justice Mrs. Lydia Osei Marfo, the court ordered the accused — Koku Koudjo, a 34-year-old gas welder, Patrick Kwaku Sosu, a 52-year-old laborer, Alaza Prosper, a 28-year-old laborer, and Fiadugbe Emmanuel, a 31-year-old laborer — to provide sureties with justifications. They must report to the police every Friday.
Furthermore, the court instructed the accused and their sureties to submit copies of their Ghana Cards to the Court’s Registry.
It warned that failure to appear in court would result in bail revocation, and tardiness would prompt a bench warrant for arrest.
The case has been adjourned to June 6, 2024, for the prosecution to file their disclosures.
The accused face charges of abetment of unlawful damage, accused of aiding jailed truck driver Abel Dzidotor in causing damage to the Diesel Multiple Unit Train.
In granting bail, the court noted that investigations involving the accused were nearing completion. It asserted that the assessment of damages could still be conducted while the defendants were out on bail.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant State Attorney Christabel Selma Anafure, informed the court that the state had requested experts to assess the damage and requested an adjournment, advocating for the accused to remain remanded.
In response, defense counsel led by Richard Laapo brought to the court’s attention a bail application made on behalf of the accused.
Mr Laapo argued that the Republic’s request for an adjournment should not preclude the court from exercising its discretion in granting bail.
He emphasized that the assessment of damages should not affect bail decisions.
“Per the submission of the Republic, they have invited experts to value the damage caused or suffered by the train.
“The assessment of the damage has no bearing on the grant of bail by the court,” he said.
The prosecution’s case alleged that the complainant, Dr. Divine Olutey, an Engineer with the Ghana Railway Corporation, was involved in the April 18, 2024 incident.
The accused, traveling in a Hyundai Gold Truck driven by Dzidotor Abel, purportedly attempted to cross the railway tracks instead of using the designated underpass.
Despite knowledge of the inaccessibility of the railway lines to motor vehicles, they allegedly used it as a shortcut.
Subsequently, the truck became stuck on the tracks, leading to a collision with a Diesel Multiple Unit train during a test drive. Both vehicles incurred damage, prompting legal action.
