Mahama lynching: Arguments for trial telecast unconvincing – Baako

Reasons given by proponents of a live telecast of court proceedings involving those arrested for allegedly murdering Captain Maxwell Mahama are not convincing enough, Kweku Baako, Editor-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, has said.

According to him, if such a case is televised, then a live broadcast of similar others would be justified.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, has said there is the need for the trial of persons arrested for allegedly killing Captain Maxwell Mahama to be shown on television.

According to him, the matter has generated intense public interest, a situation which makes it mandatory for the public to witness the trial on television.

Speaking on this development on the floor of parliament on Thursday June 1, Mr Nkrumah, who is also a Deputy Minister of Information, said: “Mr Speaker, my personal desire will be that the trial and sentencing of the person responsible for this act is carried live on national television.”

But reacting to this on Newsfile on Multi TV on Saturday June 3, Mr Baako said: “There is no doubt about it that the murder of this captain is tragic and has huge repercussions. He comes from an institution that is supposed to defend us. That is why the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, so that tells you the status of the Armed Forces. He was in the line of duty, officially sanctioned, so it has all sorts of implications. I look at the family, the wife and children and I am devastated, and so I don’t want anybody to misrepresent what I am saying or to think that I am showing a certain level of insensitivity.

“I am told some other lynching have happened in recent times. What I hear those asking for the thing [trial] to be televised or telecast say that they think it will help in this whole educational as well as deterrent thing we want to forge.

“Well, why will we restrict to just that? Why would we not replicate it with others so to have a critical mass? If indeed our intention, our aim, is to build a deterrent, then you don’t reduce it to just one incident however grave and heinous it was.

“I think we need to look at this position one more time. I am not convinced yet. Maybe somebody else can bring a counter argument that can make me change my mind.”