[1983]DLCA2094 • March 30, 1983 • Court of Appeal
AWEDAM vs. THE REPUBLIC
The appellant, John Awedam, was convicted of the murder of Charles Awontera, who was killed after being run over by the appellant's Range Rover on 4 February 1978 in Navrongo. Prior to the incident, the appellant had allegedly threatened the deceased and a prosecution witness due to their involvement in a price control case that resulted in the imprisonment of the appellant's friend. On the day of the incident, the appellant drove at high speed and deliberately swerved his vehicle to hit the deceased, who later died from his injuries. The appellant claimed the killing was accidental, caused by a burst tire and brake failure after swerving to avoid a tractor. The jury rejected the appellant's defense and found the killing intentional.
read moreJUDGMENT OF MENSA BOISON J.A. Mensa Boison J.A. delivered the judgment of the court. The appellant, John Awedam, was convicted at the Bolgatanga criminal session on 6 July 1979, of the murder of Charles Awontera, at Navrongo on 4 February 1978, and was sentenced to death by Okai J. On 2 February 1978, the deceased gave evidence for the prosecution in a case of selling above the control price, in which one Chamaso was convicted and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment at the District Court, Navrongo. The charge was in respect of a tin of milk sold to one Peter Ayirizang, who gave evidence later in the instant murder trial as the first prosecution witness. There was nothing remarkable about that trial, but for the conduct of the present appellant at the District Court, Navrongo and the events of 4 February 1978. What happened was that on the conviction and sentence of Chamaso, the appellant, who had been at the court during the trial, accosted the deceased and the first prosec.....