Kwadwo Asare, an inmate at Sekondi Central Prison in the Western Region of Ghana had the shock of his life when a judge added five years to his ten year sentence after he had gone to appeal his original sentence.
In an interview with crimecheckghana, Kwadwo Asare said, he was working with some Chinese in Ghana as a driver but was unfortunately attacked and robbed of seven thousand Ghana cedis as they were on a trip one day. “On our way that day, we had to slow down due to the load we were carrying. All of a sudden we were surrounded by a group of people holding sticks. I personally wanted to drive over them but I was ordered by my boss to stop because he was frightened and I did as he said”. He told crimecheckghana.
Asare said he identified one of the robbers as a friend he used to work with at Obuasi so he revealed that to the police when they made an official report. “The police decided to go with me to his place. I had earlier called him and he said he was in the house. Upon reaching his house, he was nowhere to be found.” He said.
He said he was surprised when the police declared him a suspect and locked him up at the Obuasi police cell.
The young man said he was unfortunately sentenced to a 10year term in prison without any court section. “I felt depressed when I was taken to prison and I did not even think of waking up the next day because I had actually lost my soul”. He told crimecheckghana.
Asare said he had to appeal his sentence. “On that faithful day when we went to court, my lawyer misconducted himself when the judge had not yet arrived. The clerk then informed the judge about the lawyer’s misconduct. Angry, she did not hesitate in adding another five year sentence”. He said.
He told crimecheckghana that he was down spirited after the case but his fellow inmates encouraged him. “I even wondered the kind of sin I have committed to the extent of being given another five years in addition to my initial term.”
Asare is therefore appealing to his church to take care of his wife, children and also remember him in prayers.
A donor of Crime Check Foundation CCF by the name Victor who is a Soldier in the U.K donated an amount of five hundred Ghana cedis to help support his stay in the prison.
The Executive Director of CCF, Mr. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng is appealing to the Police administration and the General Department to revisit the case of Kwadwo Asare for justice to be served.
