…The Plight of Samuel Kwafo at The Nsawam Prisons, President Petitioned to Intervene
By Kwabena Adu Koranteng
The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo has been petitioned to initiate investigations into the imprisonment of Samuel Kwafo, a26 year old Driver by a Sunyani Magistrate Court even though available evidence has proven he is innocent.
Samuel Kwafo was handed an 18 year sentence by a Sunyani Magistrate court Judge called Joan King, after he was accused by a Chinese national of allegedly stealing his mobile phone and a laptop.
Before his imprisonment, Samuel Kwafo was made to serve one year (12 month sentence in Remand Prisons in Sunyani by Joan King, the Magistrate. He was not allowed to have a lawyer or any legal representative to defend him, an act which is said to have violated the rule of natural Justice.
Speaking in an interview with the New Crusading Guide at the Nsawam Prisons, Samuel Kwafo narrated that prior to his imprisonment he was the personal driver of the Chinese National one Penli, for many In 2015, a brother of the Chinese immigrant who also lived in Techiman reported of his missing Iphone and a laptop and an amount of GH¢4,000.
According to Samuel Kwafo in this interview at the Nsawam Prisons. The Chinese national mentioned his name as a suspect in the case because he (Samuel Kwafo) driving, Penli, also known as William.
“The Police arrested me and sent me to court where I was placed in prison custody for one year. This was after they took me to my house and searched the place and found nothing “.
After his arrest, Samuel Kwafo Was sent to his house where it was thoroughly searched but nothing was found in his room.
In spite of that, the Judge placed, Samuel Kwafo into prison remand for one year to enable Police concludes investigations into the case. In the course of the year 2015, Samuel Kwafo said the Police managed to arrest a man who possessed the stolen laptop and Iphone and arrested him.
During interrogation the man confessed that he bought the devices from some guys in Techiman and led the Police to the house where the guys were arrested. “Upon their arrest these guys confessed stealing the items and denied my involvement”. They stated categorically that I, Samuel Kwafo was not involved in the crime and that they had never met me and that I was not involved in the crime.
“Despite all these clear evidence, the Judge would not let me go. He went ahead to sentence me to 18 years in prison with hard labour for reasons best known to her.
The unfortunate part of the whole issue was that Samuel kwafo was not allowed to have a lawyer or any legal representative in court during the trial
May be she has a personal score to settle with me. Only God can tell. However, I can assure you that I am praying and God is answering my prayer. I am innocent and whoever tries to punish the innocent soul of spill innocent blood will have the curse on the lord on him and his children.
Upon his arrest in Techiman, Samuel Kwafo was sent to Sunyani for trial and placed in prison custody for one year. Last week he was transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons to continue serving the rest of the sentence.
Last week he was transferred to the Nsawam Medium security prisons where the New Crusading Guide Team paid him a visit. In an interview he pleaded with the Chief Justice to do further investigations into his case and ensure that he is released since he is innocent.
Why would a judge decide to imprison me when the people who committed the crime were arrested and freed. I believe that I have been denied justice and my rights have been trampled upon. I don’t belong here because in my heart I believe that I haven’t committed any crime. I am therefore appealing to the president to intervene and properly investigate the case and release me since I don’t belong here.
