The 20 persons standing trial over the murder of Major Maxwell Adams at Denkyira-Obuase in the Central Region, yesterday popped up in court singing songs of praise.

The accused persons, who had been transported to the court in a blue-black police van, in unison sang as they awaited signal from the stern-looking police officers to alight from the vehicle.

Some of the accused persons were also spotted holding Bibles of various colours as they alighted.

It is unclear what might have triggered the singing and what effect it might probably have on the trial.

The accused persons

They are William Baah aka Misky, teacher/assemblyman; Yaw Annor aka Agbahowa, mason; Akwasi Baah aka Baya, farmer; Kwame Tuffour aka Asowonan, driver; Akwasi Asante, farmer; Joseph Appiah Kubi aka Kum Dede, driver; Kwadwo Animah, mason; Philip Badu, prisons assistant; Kofi Nyame aka abortion, farmer and Michel Anim aka Nana Anim.

The others are Bernard Asamoah aka Daddy, drivers’ apprentice; Ebenezer Appiah aka Akwesi Adjei; Charles Quainin aka Kwesi Boah, vulcanizer; Anthony Amoah aka Kwaku Manu/Amis, okada operator; Bismark Donkor aka Dada, farmer; Kwame Agyei, farmer; Solomon Sackey, carpenter; John Bosie aka Abodie, driver’s apprentice; Vivian Sahene aka Mafia, unemployed and Kojo Fordjour.

Charges

The case of the prosecutor, DSP George Amegah, is that the accused persons and 13 others currently at large, acted together with a common purpose to murder the soldier.

They are among 32 suspected persons initially dragged before the court for allegedly playing various roles in the murder of the 5 Battalion of Infantry soldier on May 29, 2017.

Major Mahama was the commander of a military detachment stationed at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region to check the activities of galamsey (illegal mining). He was lynched by a mob who took him for an armed robber.

They were provisionally charged for conspiracy to murder and murder.

Hearing

At the hearing, DSP George Amega told the court, presided over by Joshua Caleb Abaidoo, that the prosecution was waiting for the Attorney-General’s (AG’s) advice.

Solomon Boy-Boison, lawyer for the accused persons, said the defence would not oppose the prosecution’s request for extension of time.

He expressed the hope that the AG’s advice would not keep too long in order for the court to begin the committal proceedings.

Sitting continues on September 25, 2017.

Manhunt for 13

It may be recalled that at the previous sitting, DSP Amegah said the police were still looking for 13 more persons suspected to have played various roles in the death of the soldier.

They are Yaw Amakwah, Kwabena Kenkeba, Tikwa, Yaw Boadu, Fuseini, Madam Deedikor, Eric Asante aka Yaw Agade, Nana Kwadjo aka Naa Ajo, Kweku Diesel, Kofi Ahenkora, Solo, Rasta and Wiser.