JB’s killer wants to petition ICC to expose those who hired him

Daniel Asiedu, the main person suspected to have killed the legislator, JB Danquah-Adu went berserk during Thursday’s hearing of the murder case at the Accra District Court.

He threatened to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate those he claimed had hired him to kill the former Abuakwa North Member of Parliament.

In a very colourful display of anger, Asiedu started shouting and demanded to speak after the court had prevented him from continuing with his usual ‘confession’ spree.

During the last court hearing on June 20, 2018, Asiedu alleged that some leading members of the NPP had hired him to kill the legislator.

Strengthened by the June 20, 2018 display, Asiedu wanted to continue on the same tangent at Thurday’s hearing, but the Magistrate hearing the case at the District Court, Ms Arit Nsemoh decided not to allow him to talk again.

Not even an order from the magistrate to stop interrupting proceedings could stop Asiedu from displaying his antics.

 “I have the right to speak .... money cannot buy everything, but there is power above power,’’ he shouted.

Delay or due process?

Mr Danquah-Adu, who was the MP for Abuakwa North on the ticket of the NPP, was murdered at his residence at Shiashie in Accra on February 9, 2016.

Daniel Asiedu and another man, Vincent Bosso, are facing charges of murder and abetment of murder, respectively, for the MP’s death.

They are before the Accra District Court for committal proceedings, after which the court will decide whether or not they have to stand trial at the High Court.

The legal process to bring Mr Danquah-Adu’s killers to book has already experienced many dramatic turns.

After Asiedu and Bosso’s committal by the district court on March 14, 2017, the trial commenced at the High Court on April 28, 2017.

But, on May 29, 2017, the High Court, presided over by Mr Justice L.L. Mensah, acquitted the two accused persons after the A-G had filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue with the case.

Asiedu and Bosso were then rearrested, after which another committal proceedings at the district court, presided over by Ms Nsemoh, began.

The A-G, Ms Gloria Akuffo, had explained that her office decided to discontinue with the case because of the need for additional investigations into the case.

The accused, she explained, could not be on trial as the investigations were ongoing.

Magistrate chides prosecution for delay

The magistrate hearing the case of the two men linked with the murder of a deceased legislator, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, has chastised the prosecution for unduly delaying the case.

“If you can treat an MP like this, what will happen to the ordinary person on the street? It has been almost three years since this incident happened and you are still delaying,’’ the magistrate, Ms Arit Nsemoh, lamented.

She poured out her sentiments at the Accra Central District Court yesterday after the police prosecutor, DSP George Amegah, had prayed for an adjournment, with an explanation that the police were still awaiting the Attorney-General’s (A-G’s) advice on the case.

“Tell us the reasons for the delay,’’ the magistrate insisted.

DSP Amegah prayed the court for the adjournment to allow him to make further checks as to when the advice from the A-G would be ready.

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