The Ada District Court has remanded in police custody the key suspect in the boat accident that occurred over the weekend on the Volta Lake around Ada.
In court today, Tuesday, March 21, the suspect’s plea was not taken. No charges were also read, and no facts were presented.
Detective Inspector Alex Annan explained to the court that, given the nature of the case, coupled with the fact that there were deaths involved and the deceased families were still agitated as per intelligence gathered by the police, the court should remand the accused person in police custody for his safety.
He added that remanding the suspect would also allow for further investigations.
After hearing the prosecution, the court, presided over by Paulina Kwakyewaa, remanded the suspect to reappear on April 5, 2023.
Five people died after the boat carrying mourners from Azizanya to Azizakpe capsized on the Volta lake Saturday morning.
According to the Assembly Member of Azizakpe Electoral Area, Daniel Adzakpa, the disaster struck because the boat was overloaded.
He explained that the boat, which was supposed to carry 25 passengers, had over 60 people onboard.
Some survivors narrated that they alerted the operator about the overload and pleaded with him to return them to their boarding point at Azizanya, but he refused.
The disaster, however, occurred mid-journey almost at their destination as the victims, including children, rushed to one side of the canoe, exerting pressure on that side and leading to the accident.