Court denies JB ‘killers’ bail

An Accra High Court has denied a bail application filed by lawyer for the two persons who have been accused of allegedly murdering New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, JB Danquah-Adu.

The suspects, Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don and Vincent Bosso, have been put before an Accra Magistrate court charged with the murder of the late MP.

Given that the lower court does not have jurisdiction to grant bail in murder cases, their lawyer, Augustine Obuor went before an Accra High Court to pray it to grant his clients bail pending trial.

Appearing before a criminal division of the Accra High Court, the defence lawyer told the court presided over by Justice Ekow Baiden that his clients have been in custody for the past two-and-half years.

According to him this is against their fundamental human rights arguing that the prosecution should have concluded their investigations by now.

He therefore prayed the court to grant the two suspects bail pending the committal of proceedings at the magistrate court and the possible trial which will take place at the High Court.

The Attorney General’s Office represented by Sefakor Batse, a senior state attorney vehemently opposed the grant of bail.

She told the court that the police have not yet completed their investigations. She said the two accused persons when granted bail will interfere with investigations which will affect the outcome of the case.

She therefore, prayed the court to deny the suspects bail.

The presiding judge, Justice Ekow Baiden denied the accused persons bail saying the police are still not done with their investigations.

He urged the defence lawyer to give the prosecution six more months to complete their investigations and if after that they are not satisfied, they can repeat the bail application.



Murder

The Abuakwa North MP was on February 9, 2016 stabbed to death in his home at Shiashe in Accra.

The late MP met his untimely death when Daniel Asiedu allegedly went to his house to rob him and during a struggle stabbed the MP multiple times.

He has been charged with murder while his accomplice Vincent Boso is facing abetment of crime to wit, murder charges.

The two were discharged by an Accra High Court after the Attorney General filed for discontinuation of the earlier trial. The two were however, rearrested with new charges leveled against them.

The day after the murder, Daniel Asiedu was arrested and he allegedly confessed to committing the crime.

Committal

The two are currently before an Accra Magistrate Court and the case is still at committal stages.

The pathologist who performed the post-mortem on the deceased has already released the report to the police although the content is unknown.

The Attorney General’s Office is expected to takeover from the police who are prosecuting the matter at the Magistrate Court.

The AG’s advice which plays a huge role in determining the fate of the two suspects is still not ready.