Thursday, 09 May

Major Mahama trial: 12 found guilty, 2 acquitted

Crime
Major Maxwell Mahama

The jury in the Major Maxwell Mahama case has delivered a unanimous guilty verdict for 12 out of the 14 individuals on trial for the death of Major Mahama. 

The convicted individuals have been found guilty on counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder. 

The Assembly Member for the area, was among the convicts, who is accused of rallying the community to attack Major Mahama during the tragic incident.

Also, 2 of the accused have been acquitted and discharged after the jury found them not guilty of the charges brought against them. 

The jury, having completed its deliberations, has been discharged, and the convicted individuals are now awaiting sentencing. 

Justice Mariama Owusu will preside over the sentencing hearing.

The case stems from the lynching of Major Mahama in Denkyira-Obuasi, Central Region, on May 29, 2017, while he was on duty. 

The military officer was tragically mistaken for a robber, leading to a brutal attack by the community.

Following the incident, over 50 suspects were apprehended, and 14 individuals were eventually selected for prosecution.

Among the accused were William Baah, the then-Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy, Kofi Nyame a.k.a. Abortion, Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.

In July 2022, the High Court overruled a submission of no case made by lawyers representing the accused persons, including William Baah. 

The defence argued that the prosecution had not presented a compelling case against them, asserting their lack of implication in Major Mahama's tragic killing. 

However, Justice Owusu rejected their argument, holding that the charges had been sufficiently demonstrated by the prosecution, necessitating the accused to open their defence.

Source: classfmonline.com/Elikem Adiku