Josiah
Twelve out of the fourteen defendants standing trial for the alleged murder of Major Maxwell Mahama have been found guilty of charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aiding and abetting murder.
The 14 defendants, facing charges of conspiracy to murder and aiding and abetting murder, awaited the jury’s decision in the case of Major Mahama’s purported murder. The prosecution and the defense presented their cases before the judge and jury in a trial that has been ongoing since 2017.
Justice Mariama Owusu is currently providing a summary of the law related to the charges and the evidence presented during the trial to assist the jury in their decision-making.
Patrick Anim Addo, the lawyer representing the 13th and 14th accused, concluded his closing remarks to the jury on Monday, January 29, after starting on Thursday, January 25.
Major Maxwell Mahama was lynched on May 29, 2017, while on duty in Denkyira-Obuasi, Central Region, with reports later indicating that he was mistaken for a thief.
Over fifty people were initially apprehended following the incident, with fourteen of them ultimately facing potential prosecution. The defendants include individuals such as Bernard Asamoah (Daddy), Kofi Nyame (Abortion), Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, and Bismarck Donkor. William Baah was the Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi at the time. The remaining defendants are John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.
In July 2022, the High Court rejected a motion from the defense attorneys to submit no case, arguing that the prosecution had not presented a strong enough case against the defendants, including William Baah. The defense contended that since they were not connected to Major Mahama’s death, they should be exonerated. However, Justice Mariama Owusu disagreed, stating that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to support the charges of murder and willful injury to Major Maxwell Mahama.
