The Ghana Prisons Service has intimated that investigations are underway to assess what led to the accidental shooting by the Prisons Officer at the Accra Law Court Complex.
In a statement issued by the Prisons administration today, Thursday, February 24, 2022, the Service assured the judges and all other stakeholders that the cause for the accidental discharge of the firearm will be soon be disclosed.
“In the early hours of Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the criminal court 5 of the Accra Law Court Complex witnessed an unfortunate incident of an accidental discharge of firearm by a Prisons Officer, thereby injuring his foot in the process. Meanwhile, the Ghana Prisons Service has commenced investigations to unravel the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident.”
Ghana Prison Service
The Prisons Service further assured the general public and all stakeholders, especially the judges and all clients of the law courts of its commitment to promoting public safety.
According to the Service, proactive precautionary measures have thus been put in place to forestall the recurrence of such an unfortunate incident.
The Prison Service giving an update on the personnel involved in the shooting indicated that, the affected officer is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital and is in a stable condition.
Officer’s recovery to determine next line of action
Earlier, the Prison Service indicated that, although, preliminary investigations into the incident have been concluded, it is awaiting the full recovery of the officer involved to determine the next line of action.
Chief Superintendent of the Prisons Service, Courage Atsem, speaking for the Ghana Prisons Service stated that its preliminary investigation showed that the shooting was indeed an accidental one.
“However, the ballistic unit of the service will conduct a thorough investigation on the matter. He is currently responding to treatment and he is out of danger. When he is stabilized and healthy, we will engage him.”
Courage Atsem
Prior to this, a statement issued by Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, Judicial Secretary on behalf of the Chief Justice stated that the incident which occurred has caused fear and panic.
“This is the first time such an incident has occurred within the courts thus likely to cause fear and panic. However, the general public is informed that thorough investigations are underway while security measures are being put in place to avoid recurrence.”
Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo
Accidental court shooting
A gunshot was accidentally fired in an Accra High Court on Wednesday February 23, 2022. The situation brought proceedings at the Criminal Court 5 to an abrupt end.
The shooting occurred from the weapon of a prison warden who was guarding a suspect, according to reports. The officer was badly injured and was reported to have had been rushed to the court clinic for medical attention immediately it occurred.
The presiding judge at Criminal Court 5, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, as a result suspended proceedings and reportedly ran away for her dear life.
Till now, what actually caused the accidental triggering of the gun still remains unknown.
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