The Adabraka District Court is currently handling a high-profile case involving Constable Smith Gyekyi, a police officer accused of fatally shooting a man named Stanley Ahadzi during an alleged dispute over transport fare. Prosecutor Chief Inspector Apewah Achana disclosed that a forensic examination of Gyekyi’s firearm has been conducted, but the court is still pending the forensic report. As a result, the trial has been adjourned to October 10, 2024, allowing time for the completion of investigative processes. Constable Gyekyi remains in custody, and the court has yet to take his plea regarding the murder charge.
On the morning of August 18, 2024, around 4:00 am, the police received reports of a shooting incident occurring at Koans Estate in Kuntunse, located near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region. When law enforcement officials, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Adamu Muniru and the assigned case investigator Leticia Asiedu, arrived at the scene, they found Ahadzi, a 25-year-old male, deceased on the ground with evident head injuries and blood pooling around him. The prosecution is piecing together the events leading up to his death to build a case against Constable Gyekyi.
The prosecution claims that while Gyekyi was working his private vehicle in a commercial capacity, he picked up a passenger named Esther Owusua from Ablekuma Joma and was transporting her to Koans Estate. En route, Owusua lost her way and contacted Ahadzi, who came to help. Upon his arrival at the Koans Estate Gate, a heated argument erupted between him and Constable Gyekyi regarding the fare responsible for the journey. This confrontation escalated rapidly, according to the prosecution’s account.
During this altercation, Constable Gyekyi reportedly lost his temper and brandished his service weapon. As testified by the prosecution, he fired a warning shot but subsequently shot Ahadzi fatally. This actions raises serious questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers and their adherence to protocol in situations of conflict with civilians, especially regarding the principles of de-escalation.
Following the incident, Constable Gyekyi reportedly sought to distance himself from the situation by turning himself into the Amasaman Divisional Police, where he was subsequently detained. The prosecution maintains that he has acknowledged responsibility for his actions during the ongoing investigations. These admissions may have significant implications on the case, potentially influencing the charges he faces and the trial’s outcome once underway.
As the investigation unfolds and the court awaits the forensic report, this case presents numerous critical issues around policing, accountability, and the use of firearms. With the trial date set for October 2024, the legal proceedings will likely bring more attention to the discussions surrounding police conduct and the treatment of civilians, while also serving as a high-stakes examination of the judiciary’s role in upholding justice in such tragic circumstances.
