Major Mahama trial to resume in November after COVID-19 break
The trial of 14 persons accused of murdering the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama is set to resume in November after its long COVID-19 break.
The case is set to continue on November 19, 2020, at the Accra High Court. The trial was put on hold since February 29, 2020, following the outbreak of coronavirus in Ghana.
On Thursday, patrons of the court were told that the state is making special arrangement for the accused persons who are currently in custody to appear in court despite the spread of the virus.
Prior to Thursday’s hearing, the court had admitted a video recording of how the late Major Mahama was ‘tortured and murdered’ by the accused persons.
The video is yet to be shown in the open court, ever since the incident happened some two years ago.
Fourteen persons are standing trial over the killing of Major Mahama, who was an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion, at Burma Camp. They are William Baah, the Assembly member of Denkyira Obuasi; Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy and Kofi Nyame known as Abortion.
The others are Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima
They have all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from murder, abetment to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
What happened in 2017
On the dawn of Monday, May 29,2017, an officer with the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army, known as Maxwell Adam Mahama, was lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region.
At dawn of that day, then Captain Mahama went on his usual jogging.
On the way, it is reported that he came across two women, who assumed he was an armed robber because he had a gun tucked at the back of his trousers.
Multiple sources said the women called the Assemblyman and informed him that they had seen a man with a gun and were convinced that he was an armed robber.
The Assemblyman then called two associates and headed to the area where the Captain was seen jogging.
According to him, upon reaching the venue, the soldier opened fire on them and he ran away leaving the two.
The ex-soldier had his head smashed with bricks and other objects.
A day after his death, armed military officers were dispatched to the area.
This sent residents fleeing from the town for fear of being attacked also by the armed personnel.
About 120 residents were picked up for their involvement in the incident.