Caretaker Sentenced to 10 Years for Manslaughter After Electrocution Incident

Laweh, who was living on an uncompleted building on two plots of land, had illegally connected electricity to the building and run a copper wire to electrify a gate blocking a commonly used footpath.

Samuel Darko, the victim, touched the gate to open it and was electrocuted. He died shortly after the incident on June 20, 2021.

During the trial, Laweh denied any responsibility, claiming he had not personally connected the electricity to the gate, though he admitted hiring a professional electrician to do the illegal work. Despite his plea of not guilty, the seven-member jury found him guilty of manslaughter.

In delivering the verdict, Judge Marie-Louise Simmons acknowledged that Laweh was a first-time offender and had been cooperative during the trial. However, she described his actions as reckless, emphasizing that “everyone knows the dangers of electricity, and no one can predict the harm it may cause.”

The court also expressed concern that the illegal connection had not been fully investigated. The issue of illegal electricity connections was noted as a critical public safety concern, and the court remarked that no investigations had been conducted into the electrician who made the illegal connection or the neighbor’s involvement.

In her plea for mitigation, Laweh’s defense counsel argued that he did not intend to harm anyone, including the deceased, and urged the court to show mercy. However, Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkrah urged the court to impose a strong sentence to deter similar reckless acts in the future. She pointed out that the victim, a 14-year-old boy with a bright future ahead of him, had lost his life because of Laweh’s irresponsible actions.

The victim’s father, present in court, expressed satisfaction with the verdict and cautioned others to be mindful of the consequences of their actions, particularly when it comes to electrical safety.

The court was informed that Laweh had blocked the footpath with the electrified gate, without any warning signs, making it impossible for people to know it was dangerous. On the day of the incident, Samuel Darko, accompanied by a friend, touched the gate, screamed, and collapsed from the shock. His friend rushed to get help, but by the time they returned, Samuel was found lifeless at the scene.

An autopsy confirmed that Samuel’s cause of death was electrocution. The court’s decision aims to send a message about the dangers of unsafe electrical practices and the need for accountability in preventing such tragic incidents.