J.B Trial: Court recalls Psychiatric Consultant to be cross-examined

An Accra High Court hearing the trial of the alleged murder of Mr J.B Danquah-Adu has ordered the recall of Dr Sammy Ohene, the Consultant Psychiatric at Accra Psychiatric Hospital, who presented the medical report on Daniel Asiedu.

The recall is to enable the court to swear the doctor as a witness before he submits the medical report of the examination conducted on Daniel. this would allow him to be cross-examined on the psychiatric report of the alleged murderer of Mr Danquah-Adu, ex-Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa-North.

The new development was necessitated by the Defence Counsel, who was not in court at the last adjourned date who said, he would want to cross-examine the Consultant who prepared the report.

Mr Augustine Obour, the Counsel for Daniel, told the court that per the Evidence Act and the Courts Act the witness needed to be sworn-in and if there were any questions, the parties could ask him before he takes leave of the court.

The Court presided over by Justice George Buadi said upon hearing from the Defence Counsel, it was necessary for the officer to be recalled to be sworn under Oath before the submission of the medical report.

“Let the Court Registrar serve the authorities of the hospital with a hearing notice for the Officer to be present in Court at the next adjourned date to go through this procedure,” he said.

At the last adjourned date, the Consultant in the medical report declared the accused person fit to stand trial.

The report conducted by officials of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital shows that the accused person is mentally well to stand trial.

Dr Sammy Ohene, who presented the report to the Court, had indicated that the accused person was mentally fit.

The report indicated that four psychiatric examinations were conducted on Daniel and all these examinations did not show any sign of mental disorder.

The Court presided over by Justice George Buadi, then ordered for the trial to commence with the taking of the plea of the accused person.

Daniel a.k.a Sexy Dondon pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery and murder, while a second accused Vincent Bosso, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

The court was yet to empanel a jury for the trial.

Mr Augustine Obour, the Counsel for Daniel, argued that he believed his client was not mentally sound to stand trial, hence the order from the court dated April 14, 2019, for the conduct of the medical examination on the accused person.

The case was adjourned to July 22.