A jury has unanimously found 12 out of the 14 individuals on trial guilty for the death of military officer, Major Maxwell Mahama.
The guilty verdict was handed down on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder. Among the accused is the former Assembly Member of Denkyira-Obuasi, accused of instigating the community to attack Major Mahama.
Two of the accused individuals were acquitted and discharged by the jury after being found not guilty of the charges against them. The jury has been discharged, and the convicted individuals are now awaiting sentencing by Justice Mariama Owusu.
Major Mahama tragically lost his life in Denkyira-Obuasi, Central Region, on May 29, 2017, in a brutal lynching while on duty. The incident occurred when he was mistaken for a robber by the community.
Following the lynching, over 50 suspects were initially apprehended, and after screening, 14 individuals were selected for prosecution. Among them were William Baah, the former Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, Bernard Asamoah (alias Daddy), Kofi Nyame (aka Abortion), Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, and Bismarck Donkor. The remaining accused persons were John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.
In July 2022, the trial reached a pivotal moment when the High Court dismissed a submission of no case by the defence lawyers for the accused persons. The defence argued that the prosecution had failed to present a compelling case against their clients and sought acquittal. However, Justice Mariama Owusu, a Supreme Court Justice acting as an additional High Court Judge, rejected the argument, stating that the charges had been adequately demonstrated by the prosecution and required a defense.
With the jury’s decision reached, the legal proceedings advance to the next phase as the convicted individuals await sentencing. The case remains a focal point, seeking justice for Major Mahama and highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.
