Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Source: ultimatefmonline.com

Stabbed and paralyzed BECE candidate case: Police reopens investigation

Doctors say the spinal Cord damage has led to loss of function of the lower part of his body Doctors say the spinal Cord damage has led to loss of function of the lower part of his body

The Effiduase District Police Command in the Eastern region has reopened investigations into the case of a 16-year-old BECE candidate paralysed after he was stabbed when he attended a rally addressed by then Flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the 2016 electioneering.

The Effiduase District Police Commander, DSP Daniel Yaro confirmed to Ultimate news’, the case was reported to the Police after the incident but preliminary investigations and efforts made to arrest the suspect yielded no results because the assailant absconded.

He however said, full scale investigation has commenced hence appealing to the public to volunteer information that will help arrest the assailant.

The 16-year old Prince Boateng was returning from the NPP campaign rally addressed by now President Akufo-Addo at the New Juaben North constituency when he was stabbed in his spinal cord by an unknown assailant.

Boateng after the stabbing has received several treatments from different hospitals including the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, but has still not been able to regain his limbs.

Doctors say the spinal Cord damage has led to loss of function of the lower part of his body as the nerves coordinating signals from the brain to the lower body has been cut off.

The dream of Prince Boateng to become a professional footballer in future has been shattered because of his ill health condition, he however tells Ultimate News after the BECE exams, he wants to be a medical Doctor.

Prince is optimistic of passing the BECE exams despite the fact that, he learnt on his own on his sick bed throughout JHS 3 because he is bedridden. He stated frankly, he struggled to answer some subjects such as mathematics and Pre-Technical Skills.

Boateng who can neither walk nor sit upright was carried daily in the arms to the examination center by his uncle.

He wore pampers throughout the exams period to the exams hall because he cannot walk to ease himself. ?

He narrated to Ultimate News’ Kojo Ansah that he was returning to the house from a political rally addressed by then candidate Akufo-Addo, however after seeing off his friends, he was accosted by his assailant who forcibly took away GHC8 from his pocket and later stabbed him on the spinal cord.

He said he went into coma and only saw himself at the hospital when he regained consciousness.

The pupil of the Asokore Salvation Army Junior High School in Koforidua is therefore appealing to President Akufo-Addo to come to his aid.

Kofi Adjei, uncle of the victim told Ultimate News the predicament of his nephew has led to financial crises in the family to the extent that feeding the victim has become a major problem.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben North, Nana Adjei Boateng is scheduled to visit the victim and the family this week.