O’ Reilly SHS murder: Controversy over Student’s age resolved

By Beatrice Oppon & Priscilla Owusu Ansah

Medical reports from the Police Hospital indicate that the student of O’Reilly SHS in Accra accused of stabbing another student of the school to death is 19 years.

The age of the accused had been a subject of controversy as a family of the deceased Edward Borketey Sackey contended that the accused stated his age as 23 in his statement to the Police whereas the charge sheet before Court mentioned 18.

The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Paul Osei Adjei informed the La District Court that aside from the test conducted at the Police Hospital, the police conducted further investigations including obtaining records from the school, BECE certificate and NHIS card which confirmed his date of birth as July 10, 2005.

The Prosecutor prayed to the Court to remand the accused as the police concluded investigations.

Chief Inspector Adjei stated that a duplicate copy of the docket will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office by end of next week for advice adding that the Police have attached seriousness to the case.

The Magistrate Adwoa Benaso Asumadu Sakyi advised the prosecution to ensure that the duplicate copy is forwarded on time to avoid delays in the case. She stated that since the age of the accused has been determined and he is an adult the case will be heard at the court.

The Magistrate before adjourning the case to October 7 appealed to the family of the deceased to be calm and have confidence in the Judiciary to deliver on its mandate.

Father of the deceased Enoch Bortei Sackey expressed satisfaction with the efforts made to establish the accused person’s age. He said the family will cooperate and allow the legal process to take place.

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