Proceedings at the Kwadaso Circuit Court in Kumasi took a brief light-hearted turn on Thursday when the presiding judge, His Honour Jephtha Appau, responded humorously to a bail plea by a man accused of stealing a police armoured vehicle.
The accused, 26-year-old Ebenezer Frimpong, had appealed to the court to reconsider the bail conditions imposed on him shortly after they were explained in Twi. In response, the judge quipped, “Do we sell tomatoes here?”—a remark that drew laughter in the courtroom and appeared to suggest that bail terms were not subject to negotiation.
Frimpong, a native of Antwi Agyeikrom in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, is standing trial over the alleged theft of a police armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality. He has been in police custody since his arrest on April 15, 2026.
At Thursday’s sitting, the court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed, earning a net income of not less than GH¢2,500. The surety is also required to justify the bond with movable or immovable property equivalent to the bail amount.
During proceedings, the court also sought to establish whether the accused possessed a valid driver’s licence, to which Frimpong responded in the affirmative.
Police prosecutor ASP Albert Asagre informed the court that investigators are still awaiting a psychiatric assessment report from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The court had on May 5, 2026, ordered a psychiatric examination of the accused, but the report has yet to be submitted.
The case has been adjourned to July 3, 2026, for further hearing. The outcome of the psychiatric assessment is expected to influence the next phase of proceedings.