General Corporal Robert Katey Koranteng of the Ghana Police Service has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 20-year-old Central University law student Ivan Apprey Baidoo in a hit-and-run incident on the Tema Motorway.
Koranteng, 34, was arraigned before the Adabraka District Court in Accra on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, over the death of Baidoo.
The police officer, who was stationed at the Traffic Management Enforcement Unit at the Police Headquarters in Accra, is accused of unlawfully causing Baidoo’s death, contrary to Section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 27, 2026, when Baidoo boarded a Yango motorbike operated by Samuel Wesley Arthur from Ashongman Estates to East Legon Astroturf Park, where he was going to play football.
The court heard that Arthur allegedly jumped a red traffic light at the UPSA intersection while transporting Baidoo. Koranteng, who was reportedly on duty at the intersection, is said to have pursued the motorbike and signalled the rider to stop.
The prosecution alleged that Arthur failed to comply and continued through the Okponglo traffic light and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange before entering the Tema Motorway.
It further alleged that after the Old Tollbooth on the motorway, Koranteng kicked the moving motorbike with his leg while pursuing it. The action allegedly caused Arthur to lose control of the motorcycle, resulting in a crash into a concrete barrier.
The prosecution also accused the officer of failing to stop and provide or arrange immediate medical assistance for the victims before leaving the scene.
Baidoo and Arthur were later transported to the Tema General Hospital by Good Samaritans. Baidoo was pronounced dead on arrival, while Arthur received treatment and was subsequently discharged.
A postmortem examination conducted on September 3 by Dr Eric Dumfeh, a pathologist at the Tema General Hospital, attributed Baidoo’s death to haemorrhagic shock caused by bilateral haemothorax and haemoperitoneum resulting from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen.
The Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department took over the case on September 8. Koranteng was arrested on September 12 and later arraigned before the court, with investigations still ongoing.
The Ghana Police Service had earlier identified and interdicted the officer following preliminary investigations that linked him to the incident.
The Police said the Homicide Unit was investigating the circumstances surrounding Baidoo’s death, while the Police Professional Standards Bureau was separately examining the conduct of the officer.
Baidoo’s family had called for a transparent investigation and prosecution if the investigations established the officer’s culpability.
His father, Evans Baidoo, also said the family did not believe his son’s death was an ordinary accident.
Baidoo is scheduled to be buried on Saturday, September 19, 2026. A pre-burial service will be held at 6 a.m., followed by the main burial service at 7 a.m. at CEM Rehoboth Temple near Wisconsin University.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar