Accra, June 20, GNA - Thomas Osei, the man who drove into the President's car, on Friday opened his defence in a trial in which he has been charged with five counts of motor traffic offences and use of narcotic drugs.

The charges are dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to Presidential siren and the use of narcotic drugs. Osei has pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him and is on remand. Osei, who appeared at the court smartly dressed in black suit and tie, was led in evidence by his counsel Mr. Kwame Boafo Akuffo. The accused said before he came to Ghana in 2000 he was working with a private company in Japan. He said in 2001 when NPP took power and Ghana went HIPC, he met the President and other ministers of state, including former senior Minister Mr J.H. Mensah and Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former Minister of Education, when they came to Japan to re-negotiate the loan for the construction of Kasoa-Yamoransa road, where he was a sub-contractor. He said because of his contacts in Japan they were able to convert the loan negotiated by the NDC government into a grant.

Osei said on November 14, 2007 he had wanted to leave Accra around 4.30 am for his project site but cancelled the journey around 5.30 am. He said around 7.30 am that morning he left the house for his office after which he left for the Landing Restaurant at the Kotoka International Airport to have his meals. Mr Osei said at the restaurant he took two bottles of Gulder beer, a chicken and bought a malt drink for a family friend who was with him. He said after the meal at the restaurant he drove towards the Opeibea intersection from the AFGO direction to cross to the Alliance Francaise because that was his usual route to his office after eating at the restaurant.

The accused said when he got to Opeibea intersection there were two cars in front of him which turned towards the airport direction while he decided to go towards Alliance Francaise direction. The accused said he did not see any Policeman directing traffic at the middle of the intersection or hear any siren indicating the approach of the President's convoy as the prosecution would have the court to believe.

Osei said when he ran into the President's car, four security men came around, accosted him and sent him to the BNI for interrogation. He said at the BNI one of the President's body guards hit him and when he fell the security man kicked him with his boots and he started bleeding profusely. Osei said he was later sent to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment and stitches for the cut that he had at the forehead after which he was discharged.

The accused also denied claims by the prosecution in its submission that he (Osei) uses cocaine for sexual enhancement. "I have never used cocaine in my life; this is character assassination," he added. He said all the newspaper allegations against him for using cocaine were false. The accused said he was happy to learn that the President escaped unhurt because he harboured no malice towards him. "You know, the President is like a father to me. I am sorry for the accident; it occurred all of sudden." He said he had even sent people to the President to go and apologize for what happened.

The accused further rejected the claims by the prosecution that he was highly drunk and that was why he did not hear the siren of the President's convoy nor see the policeman at the Opeibea intersection. Thomas Osei, 51, a businessman, has been charged with five counts of motor traffic offences, use of narcotic drugs and failing to change ownership of the vehicle. The charges are dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to give way to presidential siren and the use of narcotic drugs. The President escaped unhurt. The case has been adjourned to June 23.