[2002]DLSC6120 • April 11, 2002 • Supreme Court •
17881 SISMEN NIXON TETTEH vs. THE REPUBLIC
The appellant, a corporal with 19 years service in the Ghana Armed Forces, was accused of assaulting his superior officer, the Provost Marshall, after an incident involving alleged traffic light violation at Burma Camp, Accra. The Provost Marshall stopped at a red light and observed the appellant's vehicle passing through it. Upon confronting the appellant near his residence, a struggle ensued during which the appellant allegedly struck the Provost Marshall. The appellant denied the charges, claiming self-defense and disputing the identity of the complainant at the time of the incident. Witnesses including the appellant's wife and others gave conflicting accounts of the struggle.
read moreThe complainant in this case was an officer in the Ghana Armed Forces. He was the Provost Marshall. His duties touched on security and discipline within the armed Forces. The appellant on the other hand was a corporal. He had had 19 years military service to his credit. On the night of 19th November, 1996, the appellant was alleged to have done something very strange. The appellant who was then living in barracks in the Burma Camp in Accra had earlier in the day left the barracks to town. He spent much time in town. At the time he was driving back to the barracks at about 11.30 p.m. the Provost Marshall was also driving into the Burma Camp. According to the prosecution the Provost Marshall stopped at the Burma Camp traffic light because the red light was on, meaning all vehicles must stop. But as he waited, a car from behind drove past him, ignoring the red signal. When the green light came on, the Provost Marshall decided to find out the person who drove through the red light. He th...