I’m suffering in prison - MP ‘killer’

The woes of Daniel Asiedu, the man accused of killing Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, the late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa-North in 2015, are deepening in prison.

The accused, popularly known as “Sexy Don Don”, told the Accra High yesterday (Tuesday) that a colleague inmate at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison had been constantly assaulting him, making life unbearable for him.

To make matters worse, he claimed, the prison authorities punished him and also confiscated his items, including clothes, when he complained about his ordeal.

In order to prove his assertions, Asiedu showed the prosecutor, Ms Sefakor Batse, a Senior State Attorney, and his (Asiedu’s) lawyer, Mr Augustine Obour, marks on his body which he said were from the attack.

Asiedu is on remand at the prison as he faces trial at the Accra High Court on charges of murder and robbery.

He has pleaded not guilty to the two charges.

“Fighting and not assault”

Asiedu further told the court, presided over by Justice George Buadi, that the attack on him was done in the full glare of other inmates, including the second accused, Vincent Bosso.

However, when Justice Buadi asked Bosso to confirm Asiedu’s claims, he (Bosso) said what he witnessed was a fight between Asiedu and the inmate and not an attack.

“You were fighting, it’s not that someone assaulted you. I think the prison authorities punished you because of the fight,” Justice Buadi said.
Prison officers in the courtroom who were called by the judge to speak to the allegations denied knowledge of the said attack on Asiedu.

They, however, said fighting was prohibited in prison and any inmate who flouted the rule was sanctioned accordingly.

In response, Mr Obour prayed the court to direct the prison officials to return the items that were seized from his client as a result of the punishment.

Justice Buadi agreed with counsel and said irrespective of the punishment meted out to prisoners, they should not be deprived of basic necessities such as food and clothing.

Cross-examination of psychiatrist

In a related development, the court adjourned the case to November 14, 2019 for the defence to continue with its cross-examination of a psychiatrist who conducted a psychiatric examination on Asiedu.

Lawyer Obour believes the psychiatrist, Dr Sammy Ohene, did not conduct a proper psychiatric examination on his client before reaching a conclusion that he was mentally sound to stand trial.

Murder

Mr Danquah-Adu was the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa-North in the Eastern Region when he was murdered at his residence at Shiashie, near Accra on February 9, 2016.

Asiedu and Bosso have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, while Asiedu has pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery.

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