The trial to determine the innocence of the two men accused – Daniel Asiedu aka “Sexy Dondon” and Vincent Bossu alias Agogo – of murdering the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, continues.
During yesterday’s session, attempts by the prosecution to submit statements allegedly obtained from the accused persons to the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo, were objected to by the defense counsel, Yaw Dankwa.
Mr. Dankwa objected to the tendering of these statements on the grounds that the accused persons gave the said statements under duress, and, therefore, they must be rendered invalid.
Although the counsel was not present when these statements were allegedly made by the accused persons, the State said the statements were taken in the presence of an independent witness who certified them.
The state, represented by Sefakor Batse, a Principal State Attorney (PSA), counter-claimed that the statements were read and explained to the accused persons in the presence of the independent witness before the certification.
The tendering of the statements was objected to by the defense counsel, while Mrs. Batse was leading the investigator in the case, Chief Inspector Augustus Nkrumah, to give his evidence-in-chief.
The investigator told the court that prior to taking the statements from the accused persons, they were reminded to remain silent, as well as the privilege to choose a counsel of their choice, hence, Daniel and Vincent gave their statements voluntarily
It was the investigator’s testimony that the independent witness read the statements repeatedly to the accused before they appended their signatures.
Currently
Mrs. Batse countered the objection from Mr. Dankwa by claiming that it was an attempt to delay the case from progressing, and requested that the objection from the defense be overruled. Mr. Dankwa denied that his objection was not a stalling tactic. As a result, the court was compelled to open a mini trial.
The main trial is now delayed, while a mini trial takes place on Thursday, July 21. The jury for the main trial was dismissed until the court makes a final determination on the mini trial.
If the statements are deemed valid, their tendering would be allowed as exhibits in the case or vice versa.
Background
The late MP JB Danquah was allegedly murdered on July 8, 2016, at his private residence at Shaishie, Accra. He was stabbed multiple times in the chest and neck.
According to the prosecution, Asiedu and Bossu allegedly conspired to rob the late MP and in the process murdered him when he woke up during the robbery attempt.
Asiedu is facing charges for murder and robbery and his accomplice, Bossu, faces a separate charge for conspiracy to rob. Both have pleaded not guilty
If they are proven guilty both will face significant jail time and Asiedu is likely to face life in prison.
By Jake Moore
