Suspected Major Mahama killer arrested at hideout

One of the alleged killers of Major Adam Mahama who went into hiding at Elubo in the Western Region has been nabbed and hauled before the Accra Central District Court.
Emmanuel Baidoo, aka Kizito, was reportedly arrested by the police at his hideout on September 12, 2017.

He has been charged with a provisional charge of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

In all, 21 people, including the Assembly Member for Denkyira Obuasi, William Baah, and one woman, Vivian Asahene, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the alleged killing of Major Mahama.

The police are still hunting for 12 people who are also suspected to have participated in the lynching of the military officer.

Remand

At the court sitting yesterday, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr Wolanyo Kotuku, remanded Baidoo in custody.

That was after the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) George Amegah, prayed the court to remand the accused to allow the police to consolidate his case with that of the other 20 accused.

Hearing continues on September 25, 2017.

Facts

The facts, as presented by DSP Amegah, were that Major Mahama was the Commander of a military detachment stationed at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region to check illegal mining activities.

At 8 a.m. on May 29, 2017, Major Mahama, wearing civilian clothes but with his sidearm, left his detachment base for a 20-kilometre jogging.

The prosecutor said at 9:25 a.m., the military officer got to the outskirts of Denkyira Obuasi, where a number of women were selling foodstuffs by the roadside.

He stopped to interact with the women and even bought some snails, which he left in their custody to be taken on his return from jogging.

While he was taking out money from his pocket to pay for the snails, the woman from whom he had bought the snails and a few others saw Major Mahama’s sidearm tucked to his waist.

Soon after he left, one of the women telephoned the assembly member for Denkyira Obuasi to report what they had seen.

“Without verifying the information, the assembly member mobilised the accused persons and others, some now at large, to attack the military officer,’’ the prosecutor said.

He said the mob met Major Mahama near the Denkyira Obuasi cemetery and, without giving him the opportunity to explain and identify himself, “attacked him with implements such as clubs, cement blocks and machetes, killed him and burnt a portion of his body.”

Baidoo, the prosecutor added, was part of those involved in the lynching, but bolted and sought refuge at Elubo.

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