Francis Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, has expressed his deep concern over the conviction of 33-year-old preacher Christopher Sorkpa, who was sentenced for vandalizing vehicles at the Ghanaian Parliament. In a social media post, Sosu, a human rights lawyer, criticized the way the case was handled, drawing a parallel to a similar incident from 2015 involving Charles Antwi. Sosu questioned how someone could enter the Parliament grounds and vandalize vehicles, claiming that "God told him to do so." He argued that Sorkpa should have been evaluated for his mental health upon his arrest to ensure he was of sound mind before being charged, pointing out that individuals who are mentally unstable cannot be expected to properly engage in legal proceedings.
The incident occurred on December 18, 2024, when Sorkpa and his accomplice, Wisdom Ahli, sneaked into the Parliament car park and used an earth chisel to damage several vehicles belonging to Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. Among the vehicles damaged were two Toyota V8s, two Toyota Camry saloon cars, and a Toyota Rav4. Both Sorkpa and Ahli admitted to the crime in their caution statements, which were given in the presence of an independent witness. Following his arrest, Sorkpa pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and causing unlawful damage on December 20, 2024. He was subsequently sentenced by Judge Samuel Bright Asiedu. In contrast, Ahli, who faced the same charges, was remanded in police custody, and his case was adjourned for further proceedings.
Sosu emphasized that the justice system must take greater care when dealing with individuals who may not be mentally stable, especially in cases like this. He suggested that a proper mental health assessment should have been conducted before legal actions were taken. He further expressed concern over the absence of legal representation for Sorkpa during his court appearance, which could have helped ensure that his rights were fully protected. Sosu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to taking up the case, highlighting the need for reforms in the justice system to safeguard the rights of suspects, particularly those with mental health issues. He also called for a thorough examination of how such cases are handled to ensure fairness and justice for all involved.
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