Court chides prosecution for delaying JB trial
The magistrate hearing the case of the two men linked with the murder of a deceased legislator, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, has chastised the prosecution for unduly delaying the case.
“If you can treat an MP like this, what will happen to the ordinary person on the street? It has been almost three years since this incident happened and you are still delaying,’’ the magistrate, Ms Arit Nsemoh, lamented.
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She poured out her sentiments at the Accra Central District Court yesterday after the police prosecutor, DSP George Amegah, had prayed for an adjournment, with an explanation that the police were still awaiting the Attorney-General’s (A-G’s) advice on the case.
“Tell us the reasons for the delay,’’ the magistrate insisted.
DSP Amegah prayed the court for the adjournment to allow him to make further checks as to when the advice from the A-G would be ready.
The request by the prosecutor was also criticised by Nana Obiri Boahen, a former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who was in court to represent the interest of the NPP and the deceased legislator who was a member of the party.
“This case was at the High Court when the A-G filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue; now you have come back to the district court and instead of expediting the case, you are seeking for adjournments. We are fed up,’’ he said.
Delay or due
Mr Danquah-Adu, who was the MP for Abuakwa North on the ticket of the NPP, was murdered at his residence at Shiashie in Accra on February 9, 2016.
Daniel Asiedu and another man, Vincent Bosso, are facing charges of murder and abetment of murder, respectively, for the MP’s death.
They are before the Accra District Court for committal proceedings, after which the court will decide whether or not they have to stand trial at the High Court.
The legal process to bring Mr Danquah-Adu’s killers to
After Asiedu and Bosso’s committal by the district court on March 14, 2017, the trial commenced at the High Court on April 28, 2017.
But, on May 29, 2017, the High Court, presided over by Mr Justice L.L. Mensah, acquitted the two accused persons after the A-G had filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue
Asiedu and Bosso were then rearrested, after which
The A-G, Ms Gloria Akuffo, had explained that her office decided to discontinue
The accused, she explained, could not be on trial as the investigations were ongoing.
Asiedu goes ‘berserk’
Meanwhile, Asiedu, the main person suspected to have killed the legislator, went berserk during yesterday’s hearing.
He threatened to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate those he claimed had hired him to kill the MP.
In a very colourful display of anger, Asiedu started shouting and demanded to speak after the court had prevented him from continuing with his usual ‘confession’ spree.
During the last court hearing on June 20, 2018, Asiedu alleged that some leading members of the NPP had hired him to kill the legislator.
Strengthened by the June 20, 2018 display, Asiedu wanted to continue on the same tangent at yesterday’s hearing, but Ms Nsemoh decided not to allow him to talk again.
Not even an order from the magistrate to stop interrupting proceedings could stop Asiedu from displaying his antics.
“I have the right to speak .... money cannot buy everything, but there is
Hearing of the case will continue on August 9, 2018.
Writer’s email: [email protected]