A 33-year-old preacher, Christopher Kofi Okyere Sorkpa, has been sentenced to five years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court for causing unlawful damage to vehicles belonging to Members of Parliament.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the premises of Parliament House.
The court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, found Sorkpa guilty on all six counts. He pleaded guilty during the trial and was sentenced based on his own admission.
Meanwhile, a second accused, Wisdom Ahli, has been remanded in custody. The court noted that the evidence against him did not align with the charges presented. During proceedings, the prosecutor, Superintendent Yirenkyi, explained that a review of the evidence revealed defects in the charges against Ahli. As a result, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been directed to amend the charges to ensure due process during the next hearing, scheduled for January 9, 2025.
For the first count of conspiracy, Sorkpa received a sentence of three years imprisonment with hard labor. For counts two through six, which pertain to causing unlawful damage, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment each. However, the court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of five years.
The case has been adjourned to allow for further proceedings involving the second accused person.
Brief facts
The prosecution, Superintendent Yirenkyi told the court that, the complainant Inspector Adu Yeboah and No. 551 52 L/Cpl. Aaron Awuah are Police men stationed at Parliament House whilst first accused( now convict) Christopher Kofi Okyere Sorkpa and 2nd accused Wisdom Ahli are alleged to be preachers of the gospel and live in Kasoa.
The Court heard that on 18/12/2024 at about 1 1:00am, 1 and 2nd accused sneaked into Parliament House Car Park.
First accused who was holding a hand bag with earth chisel concealed in it removed same and caused damage to the windscreen of Two Toyota V8 Vehicles with registration numbers GW 1905 -21; GS 5055 -17; Two Toyota Camry Saloon Cars with registration numbers GB 7539 -21; GS 9605 – 21 and one Rav 4 Vehicle with registration number GN 9605 -12 belonging to Honourable Kwaku Okyere Agyekum, honourable Eugene Boakye Antwi, Jessica Mensah, Sena Atsu and Gifty Gbah.
The court also heard that A2 was praising A1 for causing damages to the vehicles.
The accused persons were arrested and they admitted the offence in their caution statement to Police in the presence of an Independent witness.
After investigations the accused persons were charged with the offences and arraigned before this honourable court.
