On Thursday, June 15, 2017, a magistrate barred journalists from covering the trial of suspected murderers of the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu. The Magistrate Arit Nsemoh, gave no reason for restricting journalists from entering the courtroom.
After the entry of the two suspects; Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bossu, the Magistrate ordered the police officers stationed within the courtroom to prevent all journalists from entering.
Subsequently, Arit Nsemoh ordered the Police to sack all the journalists already inside the courtroom, leaving the media practitioners, as well as the jury, confused. The journalists subsequently demanded answers for their being ousted but got no replies. This recent development is sure to attract mixed reactions from stakeholders, considering the delicate nature of JB Danquah’s murder trial.
The two suspects were arraigned a week ago after an unexpected discharge at the High Court. Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bonsu had been discharged on May 30, 2017, after the judge called for the discontinuation of the case. This was following a nolle prosequi filed by the Attorney General to discontinue the prosecution. The decision to drop the case was initially met with some backlash from the public until the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, clarified that the suspects would be re-arrested after investigations into the case re-opened.
The decision to drop the case was initially met with some backlash from the public until the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, clarified that the suspects would be re-arrested after investigations into the case re-opened. Gloria Akuffo had explained that the case was discontinued to allow for further investigations into some aspects of it.
However, the restriction by the court on journalists at court premises during the hearing now raises eyebrows regarding the credibility of the proceeding.
JB Danquah was stabbed to death at his Shiashie residence on February 9, 2016. Days after the death of the former Abuakwa North MP, the police began investigations which led to the arrest of Mr Daniel Asiedu. Vincent Bossu, was later arrested as having conspired with Aseidu to commit the crime.
The suspects Asiedu and his accomplice have been in police custody for over a year now. This was following Daniel Asiedu’s confession, as well as his demonstration of how the crime was committed.
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