Richard Essifie, a taxi driver accused of knocking down a 52-year-old pedestrian on General Acheampong High Street, has appeared before the Dansoman Circuit Court.
Essifie, who was driving a Daewoo Matiz Taxi with registration number AS 890-19, allegedly struck the pedestrian around 4:35 a.m. in the Greater Accra Region.
The victim, Francis Yaw Osei, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Essifie has been charged with careless and inconsiderate driving, as well as negligently causing harm. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding over the case, Judge Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit granted Essifie bail set at GH¢30,000 with three sureties. All sureties must be public servants earning at least GH¢2,000 and residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Essifie was required to deposit his Ghana Card at the court registry and report to the police every two weeks.
The case has been adjourned to April 30.
Prosecutor Inspector Esther Mensah informed the court that on February 15, 2025, the accused was driving from Dansoman Last Stop towards Kwame Nkrumah Circle with two passengers on board.
Upon approaching a section of the road near Biggies Pub, Essifie allegedly failed to observe traffic regulations, leading to the accident in which Osei was hit while crossing the road.
Osei sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Ward, where he later passed away.
His body has since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The court also heard that the taxi was damaged in the incident.
