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General News of Thursday, 6 July 2017

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Adam Mahama murder: AG finally arraigns 19 for prosecution; 14 more to serve as witnesses

Chief Justice, Gloria Akuffo play videoChief Justice, Gloria Akuffo

The Court has granted a plea by the AG to amend the charge sheet presented in the case involving the murder of late Captain Mahama. Initially, 33 people were arraigned before the Court and were all accused conspiracy to commit crime and murder.

However, lead State prosecutor DSP George Amegah, prayed the Court to amend the presented charge sheet stating that further investigations into the matter has unravelled new facts.

The Court presided over by Justice Ebenezer Ansah granted the prosecutors their plea and discharged all 33 accused persons and amendments were made and subsequently an updated charge sheet was presented.

DSP George Amegah in presenting the updated charge sheet argued that 19 people out of the 33 in remand will now stand trial while the remaining 14 are presented to the court as witnesses.

The 19 accused included the Assemblyman and the “22-year-old” boy who was initially sent to the Borstal Home.

DSP George Amegah emphasised that despite the update made to the charge sheet, all 33 should still be remanded in police custody so as to ensure investigations are not compromised.

Lead State prosecutor DSP George Amegah additionally presented fresh evidence against the said 17-year-old Bernard Asamoah who was ordered by the court to be taken to the Borstal Home at the previous appearance.

The evidence proved that the 17-year-old boy Bernard Asamoah is 22-years of age and completed Junior high school in 2015 at the New Obousi Catholic School.

The 22-year-old was born on 1st April, 1995.

The headmaster of the school Sylvester Owusu confirmed the age and admitted that he is a graduate of the school.

His father, who is also a suspect confirmed his son’s age to the court.

The Court, therefore ordered that Bernard Asamoah be moved from the Borstal Home and be treated as the others.

Supporting Counsel for six of the 19 accused persons raised concerns about the ‘unreasonable’ media reportage of the late Captain Mahama murder case.

He intimated that there have been lots of inaccurate news and media discussions that misrepresents proceedings in Court.

He insisted that the case is highly sensitive and prayed the Court to issue some directives regulating the media discourse of the case.

Presiding Judge, Justice Ebenezer Ansah cautioned the media to ‘be circumspect with reportage. If you aren’t sure about what you are publishing, consult your news editor to know if it’s right to publish or not. The case is of both national and international relevance and it is highly sensitive. You should be mindful what you publish’.

The case has been adjourned to the 19th of July.



The court on Thursday granted bail to two more Chinese nationals allegedly involved in galamsey in the country.

The two, were denied bail at the last sitting because they failed to meet all requirements to be granted bail.

Defence Counsel for the two Chinese, Charles Owusu Juanah, disclosed to the court that the two Chinese had found their passports and had deposited it at the Court’s registry.

The Court granted their bail request indicating that they had considerably satisfied the requirements with the submission of their passports.

The case has been adjourned to the 12th and 17th of July for cross-examination to commence.