The High Court in Accra has adjourned to May 13, 2024, to hear an application for bail filed by the lawyers of the man charged with robbing former Second Lady Matilda Yaaba Amissah-Arthur and four others.

The adjournment for the motion for bail was at the instance of defense lawyers led by Paul Asibi Abariga, who submitted that his team would need more time to peruse the affidavit in opposition to their bail application filed by the prosecution.

Yahuza Osumanu, a self-acclaimed businessman, was slapped on April 16, 2024, with 26 counts, which comprised 20 counts of robbery and six counts of money laundering.

He has pleaded not guilty and has been remanded.

In court on Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, was expected to hear the motion for bail.

However, the counsel for the accused, Paul Assibi Abariga, said they would need more time to peruse the prosecution’s affidavit in opposition.

“Today (Thursday) is supposed to be the day to move the bail filed by us (lawyers) for the accused,” the defence counsel said.

“But I must admit that about 5 minutes ago, I was given a copy by the prosecution. We need to look at what they have filed closely and therefore need more time than this short period we have to present our arguments for bail," he submitted.

"In that regard, we may humbly ask your Ladyship, per your discretion, to grant us even tomorrow to come back and respond to this process," Lawyer Abariga said.

According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, state prosecutors led by Amanda Awadey, a state attorney, are expected to file their witness statements by May 21.

Background:

A self-acclaimed businessman, Yahuza Osumanu, was arraigned after he is said to have attacked and robbed the former 2nd Lady, Matilda Yaaba Amissah-Arthur.

Mrs. Amissah-Arthur is the wife of the late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, who was Vice President between 2012 and 2016.

In the process of the act, Yahuza Osumanu succeeded in robbing her of various currencies, including GH¢3,000, USD 2,200, and fifty Euros, as well as a gold watch and necklace valued at GH¢20,000 and GH¢5,000, respectively.

Yahuza, who was slapped with 26 counts, comprising 20 counts of robbery and six counts of money laundering, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He has since been remanded into prison custody by the Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

The Court has also directed the prosecution to file the complement of their disclosures.

Justice Marfo has also directed that a formal bail application filed on behalf of the accused by his lawyers, led by Paul Asibi Abariga, be served on the prosecution ahead of time.

Apart from the former 2nd Lady, businessman David Adjaye and three others, who were not home at the time of the robbery, also had their valuable properties stolen.