6 Discharged in Kasoa cop killing case

Six out of the seven persons arraigned in connection with the murder of two cops at Budumburam in the Central Region on August 28, 2019, have been discharged by the Kaneshie District Court.

Isaac Amissah, Ibrahim Zakaria, Isaac Mensa, Oblitey Commey, Victor Yire and Fatawu Ahmed tasted freedom yesterday after the prosecution withdrew the charges levelled against them.

The six men, together with the prime suspect, Eric Kojo Duah, aka Sakora, were previously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, abetment to murder and murder.

In their first appearance on September 2, 2019, the six, in tears, told the court they had nothing to do with the murder of Sergeant Michael Dzamesi and Lance Corporal Awal Mohammed.

According to them, they were arrested due to their mere acquaintance with Duah.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sylvester Asare, withdrew the initial charges and informed the court that he was ready with new set of charges upon further investigations.

But the emotions of despair on the faces of the six and their relations in court faded dramatically when the new charge sheet read by the court clerk had none of the names of the six men on it.

New charges

With the new charge sheet, the prosecution has slapped Duah and three men who are at large with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

The three men are Mike Anim and two others identified only as Theophilus and Kay. All three are on the run.

It is the case of the prosecution that Anim, Theophilus and Kay were with Duah in an unregistered car when he allegedly shot the two cops after refusing to stop for a routine police check.

Remand
ASP Asare prayed the court to remand Duah in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to assist with investigations.

The court, presided over by Ms Rosemond Doodua Agyiri, granted the prayer of the prosecutor, but ordered the police to allow Duah to have access to his counsel.

Hearing continues on October 9, 2019.

Murder
The police said Duah, Anim, Theophilus and Kay were in an unregistered car when they were asked to stop for driving recklessly by Sgt Dzamesi and L/Corporal Awal, both attached to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at Budumburam near Kasoa, and who were on task force duties on the Kasoa-Winneba highway.

According to the police, Duah who was driving the car, sped off instead, leading to a hot chase by the two police officers.

When the two policemen caught up with the car, they ordered Duah to get out but he refused and in the process to arrest him, he shot them.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh