In a recent development, an Accra High Court has set a deadline for the legal representatives involved in the Kasoa teenager’s murder case. They are required to submit their addresses by March 14, 2024. The directive follows the conclusion of the cross-examination of the 18-year-old teenager, who is the second accused person in the case, by the prosecution led by Nana Adomah Osei, an Assistant State Attorney.
During the court proceedings, defense counsel Mr. Lawrence Boampong, representing the second accused person in place of Mr. Martin Kpebu, informed the court that they do not intend to call any witnesses. Mr. Boampong explained that the only potential witness, the second accused person’s grandfather, has since passed away.
Presiding over the case, Mrs. Justice Lydia Osei Marfo instructed all lawyers involved to submit soft copies of their addresses via email. Subsequently, the court will proceed to summarize the case.
The trial revolves around two teenagers accused of the murder of 11-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah in Kasoa in April 2021. They face charges of conspiracy and murder.
Under cross-examination led by Nana Adomah Osei, the 18-year-old second accused person refuted claims that he had boasted about purchasing a Range Rover shortly before the murder or that he and the first accused had stolen GHC1,200. He denied previous allegations of involvement in criminal activities and asserted that he never conspired with the first accused to commit the murder.
Furthermore, the second accused person denied confessing to the police about his involvement in the murder. He explained that any such statement was coerced by a Mr. Agyeman to avoid mistreatment by the police during investigations.
Regarding the day of the incident, the second accused person denied giving the first accused a handkerchief and a bottle of Chlorophyll. He stated that his involvement in assisting the victim’s father after the incident contradicts the accusations leveled against him.
The second accused person vehemently denied participation in burying the victim alive, as alleged by the prosecution. He refuted claims of covering the victim with sand and placing a block over him while he was still breathing.
