An Accra High Court has set May 21, 2025, as the next hearing date in the murder case involving BenLord Ababio, a security operative, and Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye, a businessman, charged in connection with the death of Lance Corporal Michael Danso at Kasoa.
At the hearing, the court is expected to conclude its Case Management Conference and pre-trial procedures, paving the way for a full trial.
During the latest sitting, Madam Dufie Prempeh, the Principal State Attorney, outlined the prosecution’s case, revealing plans to call seven witnesses to establish the charges of conspiracy and murder against the accused. She assured the court that the evidence would clearly demonstrate the involvement of the two men in the fatal incident on April 30, 2024.
Citing the biblical principle of justice from Leviticus 24:17, the prosecution reminded the seven-member jury of their duty to ensure justice for the deceased.
However, the defense teams, led by Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor for the first accused, BenLord Ababio, and Mr. Frank Kumakoh for the second accused, Gyekye, urged the jury to exercise restraint and avoid decisions driven by revenge.
Barker-Vormawor emphasised that the trial should focus on the facts, questioning whether the tragic event was the result of a premeditated act or an unfortunate escalation.
“The justice system is not about exacting an eye for an eye. We have already lost one life, and it is your duty to ensure that this trial delivers justice, not revenge,” he stated.
Kumakoh, representing Gyekye, expressed sympathy for the deceased’s family but cautioned the jury against being swayed by emotionally charged statements, noting that the full context of the incident would become clearer as the trial progresses.
The prosecution’s narrative paints a tense picture of land disputes and escalating confrontations. According to the state’s case, the incident was triggered by a disagreement over a parcel of land sold to Lance Corporal Omar Abdul Rahman by Patrick Winibood Ndego, a key prosecution witness.
On the day of the incident, the deceased and two other soldiers reportedly confronted the accused at the disputed site, leading to a violent encounter near a police station where a gunshot allegedly fired by BenLord struck and killed Lance Corporal Danso.
The trial is expected to shed light on the roles and motivations of the accused, as the court seeks to determine whether the fatal shooting was a deliberate act or a tragic outcome of a heated land dispute.
