Police corporal charged with murder over death of 20-year-old law student

A Ghana Police Service officer has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 20-year-old Central University law student Ivan Apprey Baidoo.

General Corporal Robert Katey Koranteng, 34, was arraigned before the Adabraka District Court in Accra on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. He was stationed at the Traffic Management Enforcement Unit at Police Headquarters.

He 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 from Ashongman Estates to the East Legon Astroturf Park to play football.

The prosecution told the court that the rider, Samuel Wesley Arthur, allegedly drove through a red traffic light at the UPSA intersection, where Corporal Koranteng was on duty.

The officer reportedly pursued the motorbike and signalled the rider to stop. The prosecution alleges that Arthur continued through the Okponglo traffic light and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange before proceeding onto the Tema Motorway.

It further alleges that, after the Old Tollbooth on the motorway, Corporal Koranteng kicked the motorbike during the pursuit.

According to the prosecution, the alleged action caused Arthur to lose control, and the motorcycle crashed into a concrete barrier.

The prosecution also alleges that the officer left the scene without stopping or arranging immediate medical assistance for the victims.

Good Samaritans later transported Baidoo and Arthur to Tema General Hospital. Baidoo was pronounced dead on arrival, while Arthur was treated and discharged.

A postmortem examination conducted on September 3 by Dr Eric Dumfeh, a pathologist at Tema General Hospital, attributed Baidoo’s death to haemorrhagic shock resulting from bilateral haemothorax and haemoperitoneum caused by blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen.

The Criminal Investigations Department’s Homicide Unit took over the investigation on September 8. Corporal Koranteng was arrested on September 12 and subsequently arraigned.

The Police Service had earlier identified and interdicted the officer after preliminary investigations linked him to the incident.

The CID’s Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding Baidoo’s death, while the Police Professional Standards Bureau is separately examining the officer’s conduct.

Investigations are ongoing, and the allegations remain before the court.

Baidoo’s family had previously called for a transparent investigation and prosecution if the evidence establishes the officer’s culpability.

His father, Evans Baidoo, said the family did not believe his son had died in an ordinary accident.

Baidoo is scheduled to be buried on Saturday, September 19, 2026. A pre-burial service is scheduled for 6 a.m., followed by the main burial service at 7 a.m. at CEM Rehoboth Temple near Wisconsin University.