The Circuit Court in Dansoman is expected to deliver its sentence today against a 48-year-old head porter, Yaw Asare, who has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful damage and stealing parts of the Obetsebi Lamptey Overpass – property belonging to the Ghana Highway Authority.
Presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, the sentencing was initially deferred on Friday, June 18, following Asare’s admission of guilt to both charges.
He was charged with causing unlawful damage under Section 172 and stealing under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Emelia Mensah, the incident occurred on June 9, 2025 at around 11:30 pm at the Obetsebi Lamptey Overpass in Accra.
The accused, a known head porter residing at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, was found dismantling metal components from the recently completed overpass.
The complainant, Adams Alhassan, who resides in Sukura and was part of a patrol team, chanced upon the scene when the accused was being assaulted by a mob.
The team rescued Asare and upon questioning, it was revealed that he had removed six pieces of metal guardrails from their fixed positions on the overpass.
Asare was arrested at the scene with the stolen metal parts and a shifting spanner believed to have been used in committing the crime.
He later confessed during police interrogation, stating that he intended to sell the metal to a scrap dealer.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still working to determine the exact monetary value of the damage caused to the overpass infrastructure.
The stolen components are vital parts of the guardrail system and their removal posed a significant safety risk to motorists.
The Ghana Highway Authority, the rightful owner of the damaged property, has since increased surveillance around key highway installations across the city.
