Juror’s absence forces adjournment of JB Danquah murder trial

The Accra High Court was compelled to adjourn the case where two persons are under trial over the death of former Abuakwa North MP JB Danquah-Adu.

This was because one of the seven-member jurors in the case failed to show up for court proceedings on Tuesday, May 4.

Explaining the absence, the jury foreman told the court that the said juror was held up in another trial at Criminal Court 3 of the high court.

For over one hour, the court was still in limbo.

A very unhappy and disappointed judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, warned against a similar occurrence again.

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She threatened to dissolve the seven-member juror if it happened again.

“I pray this incident will happen for the last time that is today (May 4, 2021). It is because of these occurrences that I provided a road map for the trial. The jury, counsels, should note that once we finish our case completion plan, they are bound thereby. This is uncalled for. The whole world is looking at us. If this happens again, I will dissolve the juror,” Justice Osei Marfo said sternly.

The jury foreman apologised and promised that the unfortunate incident would not happen again.

Facts

The provisional facts of the prosecution were that the former MP lived with his family at Shiashie, near East Legon, a suburb of Accra.

The accused persons’ Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso, lived at Agbogbloshie, also in Accra.

According to the prosecution, between February 8 and 9, 2016, the late legislator was chauffeured home in his private car.

The driver handed over the ignition keys of the car to Mr Danquah-Adu and left for home, after which the MP retired to bed in a room located on the first floor of his house.

On February 9, 2016, at about 1 am, Asiedu and Bosso, armed with a catapult, cutter and sharp knife, went to the legislator’s house.

Bosso is said to have assisted Asiedu to enter the house by scaling the wall on the blind side of a security man who was fast asleep.

On entering the house, Asiedu picked a ladder and climbed onto a porch on the top floor and entered the MP’s bedroom through a window while Mr Danquah-Adu was sleeping.

While Asiedu was searching the room, the MP woke up and held him. A struggle ensued during which Asiedu stabbed the MP in the right chest above the breast.

The MP consequently held the knife, and Asiedu pulled it through his hand, leaving a deep cut in his palm.

The legislator bled profusely and fell by his bed, after which Asiedu stabbed him several times in his right chest and neck.

On realising that the MP was dying, Asiedu left the room and took with him three iPhones and absconded with his accomplice.

Asiedu and Bosso have since been charged with murder and abetment of crime in the murder of the late MP.

They both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit robbery. Asiedu, on the other hand, has pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery.

Four years after the gruesome murder of the former MP, justice is yet to be served in the case.

The first prosecution witness Samuel Berko Sarkodie has testified and has since been discharged by the Accra High Court.

The next witness Stephen Apraku is expected to mount the box on May 6, 2021.