Major Mahama trial: Final hearing Jan 29
Due to unforeseen setbacks, the final hearing on Major Maxwell Mahama’s trial has been rescheduled for January 29, 2024. The trial, taking place at the Accra High Court with a seven-member jury, experienced delays when one juror fell ill during the defense lawyer’s closing statement on November 27, 2023.
Originally set for November 28, 2023, the jury was meant to deliver their final verdict on the 14 individuals accused of murdering Major Mahama. However, complications arose due to one juror’s medical absence and another juror’s planned travel out of the country, leading to the adjournment of the case until January 25, 2024.
Justice Mariama Owusu, a High Court judge from the Supreme Court, had initially planned to conclude the trial on November 28. However, due to the delays, the rescheduling was necessary, despite the court’s expectation that only two more sessions were needed to wrap up the case.
The trial revolves around William Baah, an Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, and 13 others who face charges related to the lynching of Major Maxwell Mahama. These charges include abetment, conspiracy, and murder. The tragic incident occurred in May 2017 when Major Mahama was mistaken for an armed robber and subsequently lynched in Denkyira Obuasi.
With both the prosecution and defense having presented their evidence and delivered final oral addresses to the jury, these recent developments highlight the complexity and unexpected obstacles encountered in the legal proceedings surrounding this deeply distressing case that deeply impacted the nation in 2017.
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