The court, presided over by Worlanyo Kotuku, dismissed the request, explaining that the prosecution should have come with a written application instead of an oral one.

The prosecution then prayed the court to discharge the six due to the lack of substantial evidence to prosecute them.

Major Mahama, an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion, was attacked and lynched on suspicion of being an armed robber, while on his daily jogging route on May 29, 2017 at Denkyira Obuasi.

Over 50 suspects, some of whom had fled the town to other regions in the country, were later arrested in connection with the killing.

Twenty-five persons are currently facing prosecution for their role in the killing of Major Mahama and have been charged with murder.

The late army officer was laid to rest on June 9, 2017, with full state and army honours.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Maj. Mahama killing: Court rejects discharge plea for six suspects appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News, he said this case will serve as a litmus test for the effectiveness of the Police and law enforcement agencies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3SLE6W9KtZWDmJFtWZ8eWEjMFonDVC9J”]“What we would not accept is to hear from either from the Police service or the Ghana Armed Forces or the Attorney General that they are in want of evidence. That will not be countenanced or accepted by us.”

“Let this be a litmus test for the Ghana police service and the Ghana armed forces. We have called for the Attorney General, Ministers for Interior and Defence, to work in concert to unravel the circumstances of his death and punish same accordingly.”

Major Mahama was lynched by some residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Upper West Denkyira District of the Central Region when he was allegedly mistaken for a robber.

Mr. Idrissu’s remarks, which came during the funeral of the army officer on Friday, follow concerns that the Police had showcased some degree of incompetence in the prosecution of the suspected members of the pro-New Patriotic Party group, Delta Force, who were discharged for lack of evidence after being accused of freeing some of their compatriots in open court.

The Tamale South MP also contended that punishing the perpetrators is the surest way to honour the memory of the fallen soldier.

“Punishing the perpetrators is what is desired by the entire country. Let’s get the facts and punish the perpetrators so that it serves as a warning and deterrent to many others who may engage in similar acts tomorrow,” Mr. Idrssu said.

So far, the Accra Central District Court 3, has remanded into police custody 34 suspects for their alleged roles in the horrendous murder. The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post No excuses in prosecution of Maj. Mahama’s ‘killers’ – Haruna warns appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The body of the able young soldier, gutted by the fire of a woman in a gutter, wounding the womb that begat him and hurting the heart that hailed him as a hero. A young heart, broken but not crushed because it is stronger than the men who murdered her hero.

Insane politicians with insensitive political lunacy, will insinuate a political agenda but ignorant as they are, let’s ignore them to lick their wounds like dogs chained to the past with a dogmatic belief that this pain will give them political advantage.

In my days, there were no lynching squads lurking on the lanes to lick me up like fire that licks up the straw. At midnight I meandered my way through stray dogs and my mother had no worries about mobsters; her only worry like a typical African woman, were the witches of the night. Back then, even the witches were friendlier than the lynching squads on our streets today.

From Tumu to Dixcove the bodies of wretched old women littered the dusty road of our villages lynched by the lynching squad, who accused them of witchcraft. They wailed in their hamlets and cried for help but the city dwellers ignored them.

From Samiabone to Aflao, the bodies of young men lie lifeless in the scorching sun accused of robbery they probably did not commit. They fought back but we failed them.

The conscience of an unconscious country is finally awoken. A sacrificial lamb led to the slaughter but his blood is crying for justice for those we failed. Once a soldier always a soldier. Even in death, the soldier keeps fighting for freedom and justice.

Our tears must bring justice to him, less we cry like crocodiles.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (KJV)

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By: Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei

The post The tears of a nation [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mourners have filed past Major Mahama’s casket ahead of the state burial, where he is expected to be given full military honours.

Dignitaries are filtering in, with Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, former Presidents John Mahama and John Kufuor present to pay their respects, along with a number of Members of Parliament and other State Officials.

Major Mahama is being granted a State Funeral after his gruesome lynching by some youth of Denkyria-Obuasi in the Central Region shocked the nation. The youth mistook him for a robber.

Major Mahama was in Denkyria-Obuasi on anti-galamsey mission with other soldiers. It his hoped that his death would act as a turning point in Ghana;s history with mob justice which has been ingrained in certain sections of society nationwide.

The filing past will be followed by a procession to Osu Military Cemetery for the interment. A Thanksgiving service will be held at Light House Chapel International, Qodesh, North Kaneshie-Accra on Sunday, June 11.

His final funeral rites will be held at Bole from 13^th to 15^th June 2017 and Tumu from 16^th to 18^th June 2017 respectively.

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Photos: Godwin Allotey

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kufuor, others pay last respects to Maj. Mahama [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The two-hour program was attended by the hierarchy of the Ghana Armed Forces and several government officials.

It was also used as an opportunity to console the family and wife of the fallen hero, Barbara Mahama.

Friends and family, clad in black and red, converged at the mess hall amidst a morose atmosphere as mourners shed tears and voiced their sorrows.

Major Mahama’s body will be moved from 37 Military Hospital to Forecourt of State House today  [Friday] 9^th June at 6:00am  for a filing past. The burial service will commence at 9: 10 am.

This will be followed by a procession to Osu Military Cemetery for internment. A Thanksgiving service will be held at Light House Chapel International, Qodesh, North Kaneshie-Accra on Sunday 11^th June at 1030 hrs.

His final funeral rites will be held at Bole fro, 13^th to 15^th June 2017 and Tumu from 16^th to 18^th June 2017 respectively.

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By: Philip Nii Lartey/ctifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Vigil held for late Major Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.