J.B. Danquah-Adu’s murder: ‘Sexy don don’ to be retried following jury's 4:3 not guilty verdict

A seven-member jury has returned a not guilty verdict of 4:3 in favour of Daniel Asiedu, also known as 'Sexy Don Don', eight years after the murder of former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North constituency, J.B. Danquah-Adu.

On the charge of robbery, four members of the jury said they did not find Daniel Asiedu to be guilty while three found him to be guilty.

On the charge of murder, four members of the jury said they did not find Asiedu to be guilty while three found him to be guilty. 

Per the hung jury decision, Asiedu, is to be retried on the charges due to Section 286 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

The provision reads, “Where the jury is discharged, the accused shall be detained in custody or released on bail, and shall be retried by another jury”. 

Consequently, the court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has subsequently adjourned the case remanded Asiedu into custody.

State

In her closing address, Sefakor Batse, a Principal State Attorney, who led the prosecution to call eight witnesses to firm up the case against the Asiedu, called on the jury to return a guilty verdict.

She added that the convict did not only steal the late MP’s phones but used force and harmed him in the process adding, “All this was to overcome any resistance from the deceased”.

She added that DNA evidence on exhibits such as hankerchief, T-shirt belonging to the convict were found at the crime scene. 

Defence 

The defence counsel, led by Yaw Dankwah, disagreed with the prosecution.

Counsel argued that the case was not properly investigated since there was not a single eye that saw the accused person at the crime scene.

“It was an election year that year so so many things were overlooked. 

“Don’t let the real culprit walk around, it could be your son tomorrow. Use the opportunity you got to make sure that the right is done,” he told the jury. 

Background  

On February 8, 2016, Mr Danquah-Adu was murdered in cold blood at his residence at Shiashie, a suburb of Accra.

Asiedu was arrested on February 11, 2016, by the police at his hideout at Agbogloshie in connection with the murder of the legislator, and the police claimed Asiedu had confessed to killing the MP.

Asiedu was charged alongside Vincent Bosso for conspiracy to commit robbery, while Asiedu has further been charged separately with murder.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

However, Bosso was discharged after the prosecution had closed its case while Asiedu was asked to open his defence. 

It is the case of the prosecution that Asiedu who was on a robbery spree at the legislator’s house, made some noise which woke the MP.

The prosecution said a struggle ensued between the two, leading to Asiedu stabbing the MP in the neck and chest, killing him in the process.

Writer’s E-mail: justice.agbenorsi@graphic.com.gh