The judgment day for the two teenagers standing trial for the death of an 11-year-old boy at Kasoa for an alleged money ritual has been deferred again for the third time due to the absence of jurors.
This delay is because the jurors have declared an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances and have still not reported for duty.
For seven weeks since May 16, 2024, the jurors have been on strike over 10 months of unpaid allowances, with June being the 11th month. Although four months of their allowances have been settled, the jurors are still holding their stance not to return to duty until they receive their allowances in full.
On Monday, July 8, 2024, when the case was called for the court to sum up the trial for the jury to return their verdict, which would be binding on the court, the jurors were absent.
Presiding judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo’s court was handicapped and had to adjourn the case to July 23, 2024.
The 18-year-old young offender, who is the 2nd accused, made his first appearance at the High Court since he was committed to prison custody on June 24, 2024, over alleged misconduct. He is standing trial with a 15-year-old juvenile (1st accused) for the murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdella at Kasoa.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the July 8 adjournment is the third time that the judgment has been deferred. The previous dates were May 7 and June 24, 2024.
The case is now adjourned to July 23. The first accused, the 15-year-old juvenile, was absent at the time the case was being adjourned, even though his counsel indicated he was being brought to the court.
Background:
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, which is widely celebrated as Valentine’s Day, the second accused (18-year-old) young offender ended his defense. This was after his lawyers indicated they would not be calling any witnesses, moments after State Prosecutors led by Nana Adoma Osei, a Senior State Attorney, signaled the end of her cross-examination.
EIB Network Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the prosecution called seven witnesses, including the father, mother, and sister of the 15-year-old juvenile.
The two teenagers have been charged with conspiracy and murder of the 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdella before the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo. While the 15-year-old juvenile (1st accused) has admitted the offense and stated that they “committed the crime together,” the young offender (2nd accused) has denied the charges.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
