General News of Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2018-05-29
Late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama
Exactly a year ago, a young army captain leading a detachment at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira District of the Central Region, was murdered on suspicion he was a robber.
An officer with the 5th Infantry Battallion of the Ghana Army, Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama, had gone for his usual morning exercise on May 29, 2017, when residents attacked and clubbed him to death at Denyira Obuasi.
Some residents filmed the horrific incident and circulated it on social media which generated outrage from all corners.
“Personally I feel very sad to be here this afternoon because this reminds me of that pathetic memory of a gruesome murder that had never been heard of until that day,” recounts Diaso District Police Commander, ASP Osei Adu Agyemang.
The police chief was speaking to Joy News’ Ohemeng Tawiah who visited the community where the incindent took place a year after.
His uncle, Prof. Fred Mark Bagonluri, described as unfortunate; a man who has sworn to defend his country had to die in such a manner.
“For him to die in this manner challenges my citizenship,” he said.
The next day, military men were dispatched to the town and about about 120 residents were picked up for their alleged involvement in the incident.
After thorough screening, 22 were arraigned on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The state prosecutors dropped charges against eight for lack of sufficient evidence to prove the charges.
The 14 accused are standing trial at the Accra High Court after a lower court, Accra Central District Court found enough evidence to okay a trial.
Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson, tendered in 53 exhibits for the trial including forensic reports, post-mortem report on the deceased, video recordings, two single-barrelled shot guns, a six-inch cement block and a partly burnt shirt.
The rest are one clog pistol, an iPhone, a metal bar, a stone, two pellets, one empty cartridge, seven rounds of ammunition and photograph of the crime scene.
The young soldier was promoted posthumously to the rank of a full Major, by President Akufo-Addo.
A year on, Joy News Ohemeng Tawiah returned to the exact spot where the incident took place and reports, seven key suspects wanted for their roles in the murder of the late army captain, now Major remain fugitive, after one year.