An Accra Circuit Court has adjourned to January 18th the case involving shooting at Ablekuma Central during the December 7 election. The court had earlier remanded the accused person Collins Quarcoo over the alleged shooting incidence at the Ablekuma Central Collation Centre during the polls.
The adjournment was because the Court did not sit on Monday, January 11, when the case was to be heard. Mr. Quarcoo, who allegedly shot and caused harm to three persons, pleaded not guilty. He denied the use of any offensive weapon and causing harm to Pious Asiedu Kwanin, a Journalist, Inspector Nixon Awuni, a Police Officer, and Rashid Umar, a trader. Police Inspector Eric Pobee had earlier informed the court presided over by Emmanuel Essandoh, that Inspector Awuni, was stationed at the Accra Central Police Divisional Headquarters.
Kwanin is with the Global News Watch while Umar is a trader and NDC Vice Chairman, for Sabon Zongo Electoral Area. He said on December 8, 2020, as the collation of election results was ongoing in the constituency, a misunderstanding ensued between party agents of the NDC and NPP.
Inspector Pobee said the accused person, who claimed to be a National Security Operative, came to the Centre and after a brief discussion with the Member of Parliament for the area, moved closer to the Centre and allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately into the crowd.
The prosecution said the accused person’s action resulted in a bullet hitting the left knee of Inspector Awuni and also hitting Kwanin in the ankle and Umar at his right knee and left shin. The prosecution said Awuni and Umar were rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital whilst Kwanin was sent to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, where they were admitted for treatment.
He said Quarcoo was arrested by the security personnel, who were on duty at the Collation Centre and handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department.
The Prosecution said, in his caution statement, Quarcoo alleged that amid a misunderstanding at the Centre, someone removed a taser (electric shocker) from his side pocket, so he also removed his sidearm and started firing, which led to the injuries.
