An Accra High Court has adjourned to May 21, 2025, the case of Benlord Ababio and another individual, in connection with the death of Lance Corporal Michael Danso at Kasoa on April 30, 2024.

On May 21, 2025, the Court is expected to conclude the Case Management Conference and Pre-Trial Conference.

At today’s sitting, defence counsel for Benlord, a security operative, and his alleged accomplice, Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye, a businessman, took turns addressing the Court and the seven-member jury.

In her opening address, Madam Dufie Prempeh, Principal State Attorney (PSA), told the Court that the prosecution would be calling seven witnesses to support their case.

The prosecution, she said, is expected to prove charges of conspiracy and murder against the accused persons.

According to her, the prosecution's case is that the two accused persons are responsible for the death of Lance Corporal Michael Danso on April 30, 2024.

She added that the prosecution would tender exhibits in evidence to support their claims.

Quoting Leviticus 24:17, the prosecution stated: “Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death,” and expressed hope that the jury would deliver justice for the deceased.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, counsel for Benlord, the first accused, described the matter as a tragic one and urged the jury to consider whether the killing was premeditated and whether there was any conspiracy.

“The justice of our country is not ‘an eye for an eye’ justice. We have already lost one person. The recommendation from the prosecution in Leviticus—to punish death with death—is not justice; it is revenge. You are here not to carry out revenge, but to deliver justice,” he argued.

Frank Kumakoh, counsel for the second accused, Gyekye, extended his sympathies to the deceased’s family and urged the jury not to be swayed by the prosecution's emotional appeals.

Kumakoh said:

“During the trial, we will examine the statements and actions made before the shooting incident to determine whether the scuffle that ensued on that fateful day is something that could happen to any one of us.”

The prosecution stated that the deceased, Lance Corporal Michael Danso, was a military officer stationed at the Army Base Workshop, Burma Camp.

Benlord, also known as Nana Barima, resides at Liberia Camp, and Gyekye resides at Walantu, Kasoa.

Benlord was reportedly the leader of Gyekye and others who operate as land guards in Kasoa and surrounding areas, the Court was told.

The first prosecution witness, Patrick Winibood Ndego, acquired a piece of land from 21st Century Company Limited in 2013 and had maintained possession of it since.

In January 2024, Ndego sold a portion of the land to Lance Corporal Omar Abdul Rahman, the second prosecution witness.

On March 11, 2024, Ndego identified encroachers, including one Nana Amoani, developing the parcel of land sold to Lance Corporal Rahman.

Ndego reported the matter to the Police, who directed that all construction activity should cease, pending verification at the Lands Commission.

However, on April 29, 2024, the accused persons, in defiance of the Police directive, were seen working on the land. The Police returned to the site to stop them.

Ndego informed Lance Corporal Rahman of the situation.

On April 30, 2024, at about 4:00 p.m., the deceased and his colleague, Matthew Ametus, accompanied Lance Corporal Rahman to inspect the site.

On arrival, they found a number of individuals, including Gyekye, actively working on the land.

Gyekye then called Benlord to mobilize additional land guards to reinforce their presence at the site.

According to the prosecution, more land guards were indeed mobilized by the accused persons.

Later, both parties met at the Police Station.

While at the station, the deceased, who had taken control of his vehicle and switched on the engine, was instructed by the accused persons to switch it off.

The deceased refused and instead stepped on the accelerator, prompting Benlord to fire indiscriminately at the passenger-side tyre from a distance of approximately 20 to 30 meters—right in front of the Police Station.

The prosecution said one of the pellets penetrated the vehicle window and struck the deceased in the occipital region (back of the head).

Benlord was quickly disarmed and arrested by the Police.

Lance Corporal Danso was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.