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Two former students of St. Ignatius of Loyola Senior High School, popularly known as Lassia-Tuolu Senior High School, are facing trial at the Wa Circuit Court for allegedly setting the school’s multipurpose dining hall ablaze on March 10, 2024.
The two suspects, Gerard Abiire Bishop and George Prah Louis, who were in their final year at the time of the incident, allegedly orchestrated the devastating fire that ravaged the multipurpose dining hall, also known as the Great Pink Hall. The fire affected the learning experience of approximately 1,332 students and forced the temporary closure of the school, disrupting the academic calendar.
The multipurpose hall was a critical facility used for all school examinations, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), as well as other activities such as workshops, church services, dining, assembly, and other events. The fire destroyed several items, including:
– 900 student desks
– 500 dining tables and benches
– 10 student mattresses
– A public address system and musical instruments
– 23 cooking pots of different sizes
– 5 iron pots (size 30)
– A deep freezer and a stabilizer
– 530 service and soup pans and lids
The fire also destroyed food items, including:
– 24 bags of maize
– 2 bags of dried cassava (konkonte)
– 15 cartons of mackerel
– 24 gallons of vegetable oil
– A gallon of palm oil
– A bag each of dried okra and salt
Following an investigation by the school authority, the two suspects were arrested in September 2024 after a fellow student reported their alleged involvement to the senior housemaster of the school, Mr. Kumah Isaac.
According to Mr. Kumah Isaac, the informant had previously confided in one of the suspects, Gerard Abiire Bishop, about stealing money from another student’s mobile money wallet. However, when Gerard revealed this secret to others, the informant was beaten by his peers. Feeling betrayed, the informant decided to reveal a secret that Gerard had earlier shared with him – the alleged involvement in the arson.
The case, titled “The Republic Vrs 1. Gerard Abiire Bishop and 2. George Prah Louis,” was called on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Wa Circuit Court.
After a series of cross-examinations of witnesses, including the informant whose name has been withheld for security reasons, the presiding judge, His Lordship Dr. Jonathan Avogo, adjourned the case to April 3, 2025, for the trial to continue.
Mr. Kumah Isaac expressed confidence that justice would be served to deter future occurrences. He called on the PTA, parents, past students, and the general public to rally behind the school in its quest for justice for the school community.
By : Citizen journalist Albert Jortee
