Kombian's mother is alive- Defence Counsel

Defence Counsel for Johnson Kombian, the businessman and farmer being held for the death of two policemen in the Northern Region, says his client’s mother is not dead.

According to Mr George Asamaney, his client’s mother is alive, and they are prepared to produce her in court.

Counsel was reacting to some publications stating categorically that Kombian’s mother died as a result of the Police vandalising houses belonging to Kombian’s uncles and mother in the search for the accused.

Mr Asamaney contended that the publication over the death of Kombian’s mother has caused a stir in the Region.

Continuing with his cross-examination, Kombian maintained that he does not know the three policemen who were allegedly ambushed and shot.

Kombian admitted that when he visited Nankpanduri on October 16, 2010, he did not spend more than 30 minutes there.

When asked which day October 16, 2010 fell, Kombian told the court that he could not tell.

The accused disagreed with the prosecutor, Mrs Marina Appiah Opare, a Principal State Attorney that October 17, 2010 was an important day as a result of the shooting incident.

Kombian: I don’t understand. Each day is important to me because when I wake up every day I give thanks to God.

He maintained that on October 17, 2010 he was in Togo and at about 1730 hours and 1830 hours he was looking for a place to sleep because; “if the Police found me out, I would be arrested."

Prosecution: Where were you sleeping?

Kombian: I was on my motorbike looking for food to eat and a place to sleep. In fact where I bought the food to eat was the place I slept.

The accused person denied that, what he had told the court was an afterthought.

Kombian at this juncture got angry by some of the questions asked him by the prosecution.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh intervened saying: “If you get angry, it would cloud your judgement. Don’t get angry."

Defence Counsel: “Take your time and listen to the questions and answer them carefully.”

Kombian denied that on October 17, 2010, he was at Nankpanduri Scarp, adding I only came to Ghana where serious issues came up in the family.

Prosecution: Which people saw you in Togo?

Kombian: “No Ghanaian saw me in Togo. It was the Togolese who saw me. They don’t know me, and I also don’t know them."

Court (Trial Judge): Which people arrested you in Togo?

Kombian: I was arrested by the authorities in Togo and handed me over to the Ghana Police Service. It was in the night, and my face was covered so I could not identify them. It was when we reached the Aflao border that I heard some Ghanaians speaking Twi that I realized that I was in Ghana.

The matter has been adjourned to September 1 and 2, 2014.

Meanwhile, Defence Counsel had told the court that they intend calling two witnesses: one from Nankpanduri and another from Togo.

Counsel, therefore, prayed for a short adjournment so they could raise money and transport the witnesses in court.

Kombian and his accomplices, who are on the run, are alleged to have ambushed three policemen, and killed two of them on October 10, 2010.

The victims were Constables Prince Agyare and Owusu Frimpong.

Kombian has denied before a seven-member jury the charge of conspiracy, and two counts of killing the two police officers.

He has been remanded by the court.