Preacher jailed 28 Years for Vandalizing Vehicles in Parliament

Christopher Kofi Okyere Sorkpa, a 33-year-old preacher, has been sentenced to a cumulative 28 years in prison for vandalizing vehicles at the Parliament House premises.

The court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, handed down the sentence after Sorkpa pleaded guilty to six charges, including conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of causing unlawful damage.

The court sentenced Sorkpa to three years for conspiracy and five years for each of the five counts of causing unlawful damage.

However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Sorkpa will serve a maximum of five years in prison.

His accomplice, Wisdom Ahli, 41, also a preacher, was remanded for further investigations. The prosecution, led by Superintendent Augustine Yirinkye, informed the court that Ahli’s charges would be amended before the next hearing, scheduled for January 9, 2025.

The Incident

On December 18, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m., Sorkpa and Ahli entered the Parliament House car park in Accra. Sorkpa used an earth chisel concealed in a handbag to vandalize the windscreens of five vehicles, including:

A Toyota V8 (GW 1905-21) valued at GHC 120,000, belonging to Hon. Kwaku Okyere Agyekum.

Another Toyota V8 (GS 5055-17) valued at GHC 120,000, owned by Hon. Eugene Boakye Antwi.

A Toyota Camry (GB 7539-21) valued at GHC 7,000, the property of Jessica Mensah.

Another Toyota Camry (GS 9605-21) valued at GHC 7,000, owned by Sena Atsu.

A Toyota Rav4 (GN 9605-12) valued at GHC 7,000, the property of Gifty Gbah.

Witnesses reported that Ahli praised Sorkpa as he committed the acts of vandalism.

Court Proceedings

During the trial, it was revealed that the accused had admitted to the crimes in their caution statements given to the police in the presence of an independent witness.

The charges against Sorkpa included conspiracy to commit crime and causing unlawful damage, contrary to Section 172(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Ahli, who has yet to enter a plea, remains in police custody pending the amendment of his charges and further investigations.

The court adjourned the case to January 9, 2025, for further proceedings.

 

The post Preacher jailed 28 Years for Vandalizing Vehicles in Parliament appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story