Police officer face murder charge over death of Central University student Ivan Baidoo

General Corporal Robert Katey Koranteng of the Ghana Police Service has been arraigned before the Adabraka District Court in Accra and charged with murder over the death of 23-year-old Central University law student Ivan Apprey Baidoo.

Koranteng, 34, appeared before the court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in connection with the August 27 incident on the Tema Motorway.

He is accused of causing Baidoo’s death through unlawful harm, contrary to Section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to the prosecution, Baidoo was travelling as a passenger on a Yango-operated motorbike ridden by Samuel Wesley Arthur when the rider allegedly went through a red light at the UPSA traffic intersection.

Koranteng, who was on duty, allegedly pursued the motorbike through Okponglo and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange towards the Tema Motorway.

The prosecution alleges that after the Old Tollbooth, Koranteng kicked the moving motorbike during the pursuit, causing Arthur to lose control and crash into a concrete barrier.

It is further alleged that the officer failed to stop or arrange immediate medical assistance for the victims before leaving the scene.

Good Samaritans later transported Baidoo and Arthur to the Tema General Hospital. Baidoo was pronounced dead on arrival, while Arthur was treated and discharged.

A postmortem examination conducted on September 3 attributed Baidoo’s death to haemorrhagic shock resulting from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen.

The latest court action follows public concern over the circumstances surrounding Baidoo’s death, particularly after video footage of the incident circulated widely.

Baidoo’s family had earlier petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for a full-scale investigation and offered a GH¢50,000 reward for credible information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible.

The family also appealed to eyewitnesses and members of the public with information about the incident to come forward.

The CID Homicide Unit took over the case on September 8, while Koranteng was arrested on September 12.

The Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) is separately examining the officer’s conduct to determine whether his actions complied with professional standards.

The Police Service has assured the public that, “The Ghana Police Service assures the public that the matter is being thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigations.”

The murder charge places the case before the court as investigations into the circumstances surrounding Baidoo’s death continue.