JB Danquah Adu murder case: Court to hold mini-trial

The Accra High Court hearing the murder case of the late MP for Abuakwa North, JB Danquah Adu, is set to hold a mini-trial on July 21, 2022. 

The Court suspended the substantive case due to objections raised by counsel for one of the accused, Daniel Asiedu aka ‘sexy dondon’, who has been charged with the murder of the late former MP.

They objected to the tendering of the investigation caution statement and charge statement obtained from the accused, arguing that Daniel Asiedu was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment at the time of rendering those statements. 

“Our case is that the said statement was not voluntary. It was taken under duress, threat and under very inhumane circumstances,” Mr. Raymond Felli, who held brief for Yaw Dankwah prayed.

The prosecution led by Principal State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, however, argued that objections raised by the defence were only an attempt to delay the trial.

“My lady, it is our submission that all conditions under which confession statements should be given as stipulated in section 120 of the Evidence Act, were complied with and that this objection should be overruled as it is just a ploy to delay the smooth progress of this case,” she told the court,” she told the court presided over Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

Announcing the decision for a mini-trial, the court also directed the prosecution to call its first independent witness on July 21. 

“In view of the objection raised by Counsel for the defence, it is my considered opinion that there is a need for this Court to conduct a mini-trial to ascertain the circumstances of the taking of all the statements; not only in respect of this particular one but all other statements of both accused persons taken by the Police at the police station.

This particular exercise is a matter of law to be dealt with by the Court alone and therefore the jury is excused henceforth until the mini-trial is held and ruling given as to whether the offending statements could be admitted in evidence,” Justice Lydia Osei Marfo said. 

The accused persons, Daniel Asiedu aka 'sexy dondon,' and Vincent Bossu aka Junior Agogo have been charged with the murder of the former Member of Parliament.

Additionally, the two are facing a charge of conspiracy to rob.

They have however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.