An antique image of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The Accra High Court found Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo culpable in a civil case and fined him 45,000 [old Ghanaian cedis] on March 20, 1980.
This occurred after the politician and the litigant, one Mr. Woledzi, spent thirteen years traveling through the magistrate courts to the High Court in a reckless driving case.
Mr. Woledzi sued Mr. Akufo-Addo for damages for injuries and losses he sustained in a car collision involving his vehicle and the plaintiff's.
The accident gravely injured the plaintiff. He demanded 100,000 in compensation for injuries and losses he sustained due to the defendant's negligence and breach of statutory duties.
The plaintiff claimed in his pleadings and during the trial that his vehicle was stationary and parked on a flower bed in the middle of a two-lane road when it was struck by the first defendant.
The first defendant, however, denied that the plaintiff's vehicle was stationary at the time of the accident and asserted that the collision occurred as a result of the Woledzi speeding across his path abruptly and carelessly.
Michael Atidika represented Mr. Woledzi, while Nana Akufo-Addo was represented by Amaako-Glover.
Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, one of three High Court justices kidnapped and murdered on June 30, 1982, presided over the case.
At the time she rendered her decision, Justice Koranteng-Addow described the plaintiff, who was 41 years old at the time of the tragedy, as "different."
"His appearance is dreadful; his mandible is twisted and drooping to one side. This was caused by the right side of the face losing its sensitivity. His eyes are so prominent with a squint, and he walks uncoordinatedly with his appendages. He moves as though he will misstep at any moment. He continues to receive treatment for the injury's aftereffects. After the tragedy, he was in a coma for three weeks and remained in the hospital for six months for treatment. The fractured arm was set in protective casts," wrote the judge.
She further noted, "He had a fracture that would not unite with P.O.P., so a plate was inserted in his left upper arm; and this would cause pain."
In addition, the judge noted that the plaintiff "still bears the plate in his arm. He continues to report discomfort in his right blind eye."
Mr. Woledzi was also determined to have suffered brain damage, utter blindness in his right eye, and hearing loss in his right ear.
The judge assessed the plaintiff GH45,000.00 in total damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities, disfigurement, and disability, as well as cost.
"The plaintiff is deformed as a result of his squint and contorted mouth. A male who has lost confidence as a result of his current appearance. In his current condition, he cannot savor much; a man so affected and afflicted with pain cannot be said to enjoy life's full amenities. In addition, he has lost his pension privileges.
"Finally, his inability to earn a livelihood to support himself and his family; he is now 54 years old; he was only 41 when the accident occurred. Given the heights he would have reached in his career had he not been disabled by this tragedy, he should be compensated for this loss. His damages should take into consideration both his lost pension rights and his total incapacity. I estimate his damages to be $45,000," the judge stated.