Juvenile discharged for late commencement of trial

A juvenile, Hamza Rashid who was accused of robbery has been discharged by an Accra Circuit Court after the state failed to begin prosecution six months after his arrest. 

According to the judge Francis Obiri, he took the decision because the juvenile law states that juveniles should be discharged six months following their arrest if trial has not started. 

The prosecutor, DSP Ernest Achaempong however, told the court that the docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General's office and is awaiting advice before commencing trial. 

According to the facts of the case, on the 8th of last August at about 10pm the complainant was standing by the road side about to pick a vehicle when Hamza and his accomplice now deceased suddenly pulled over on an unregistered motorbike. 

They pulled out a cutlass and ordered the complainant to surrender her hand bag. 

The complainant obliged and handed over her bag containing two mobile phones, student ID cards, voters' ID card, books and GH¢10.00 cash to Hamza and his accomplice who sped off. 

Thereafter, the two went to Roman Ridge in Accra and while opening the bag to check the contents they spotted a Police Patrol Team. 

On seeing the police, they abandoned the motor bike and took to their heels firing at the police. 

The police returned fire and eventually overpowered Hamza. 

His accomplice however escaped but was later found dead. 

GBC