Man jailed 10 years for electrocution of 14-year-old

The Accra High Court has sentenced Richmond Laweh, a caretaker, to 10 years in prison for manslaughter after his illegally electrified gate caused the death of a 14-year-old boy, Samuel Darko.

The tragic incident occurred in Ampomah near Ashiyie when Samuel touched the electrified gate while trying to use a blocked pathway.

A seven-member jury unanimously found Laweh guilty after the trial. The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkrah, presented compelling evidence, including testimonies from four witnesses.

They revealed that Laweh, a mason, had illegally connected electricity to an uncompleted building and extended a live copper wire to the makeshift gate, effectively electrifying it. This gate, was placed across a frequently used pathway by residents in the area.

On June 20, 2019, Samuel and his friend, Ruth Tetteh, approached the gate. When Samuel tried to open it, he suffered a fatal electric shock, collapsing as Ruth watched helplessly. She immediately ran to alert their families, who rushed to the scene.

Samuel was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, with an autopsy confirming electrocution as the cause of death.

During the trial, Laweh denied intentionally electrifying the gate, claiming he had hired a professional electrician for the illegal connection. However, the court rejected his defense, citing his recklessness and failure to ensure public safety.

Presiding Justice Marie-Louise Simmons condemned Laweh’s actions as preventable negligence and criticised authorities for not investigating the illegal connection further to raise public awareness about its dangers.

In sentencing, the court acknowledged Laweh’s status as a first-time offender and his cooperation during the trial. However, Justice Simmons stressed the gravity of the offense, which robbed a young boy of his future. Defence counsel pleaded for leniency, arguing that Laweh had no malicious intent. Conversely, the prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence to prevent similar tragedies.

Samuel’s father expressed satisfaction with the verdict, warning others against endangering lives through careless acts. The Director of Public Prosecutions highlighted the case as a stark reminder of the fatal consequences of illegal electrical connections and reckless behavior.