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In a significant development in the Major Mahama murder trial, the jury has returned a unanimous guilty verdict for 12 out of the 14 persons standing trial for the death of Major Mahama. The convicted individuals face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder. Notably, the Assembly Member of the area accused of rallying the community to attack Major Mahama is among those found guilty.
However, two of the accused persons have been acquitted and discharged as the jury found them not guilty of the charges brought against them.
The jury has been discharged, and the convicted individuals are now awaiting sentencing by Justice Mariama Owusu.
Background
Major Mahama, a military officer, was lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region on May 29, 2017, while on duty. The tragic incident occurred when he was mistaken for a robber by the community.
Following the incident, over 50 suspects were initially rounded up, and eventually, 14 individuals were screened for prosecution. Among the accused were William Baah, the then-Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, and others with aliases such as Daddy, Abortion, Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.
In July 2022, the High Court overruled a submission of no case made by the lawyers of the accused persons. The defense argued that the prosecution had not presented a compelling case against their clients, asserting that they had not been implicated in the tragic killing of Major Mahama. However, Justice Mariama Owusu rejected this argument, stating that the charges of intentionally causing harm and murder had been sufficiently demonstrated by the prosecution, leading to the continuation of the trial.
