The "killer" of JB Danquah-Adu "crazy" – Lawyer

General News of Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

2019-04-16

Unexpectedly, a high court in Accra ordered that Daniel Asiedu, the prime suspect of the murder of JB Danquah-Adu, the late MP of Abuakwa North, be taken to the psychiatric hospital. Accra to undergo examination.

This follows a request from the accused's attorney – Augustine Obuor – who told the court that his client may not have been mentally competent to appreciate the consequences of the charges against him. him.

In his argument, the lawyer stated that his personal meetings with the accused gave him reason to believe that he was perhaps not healthy in spirit.

He cited a case where Daniel Asiedu allegedly told him that he was going to be appointed chef at Akwapim and therefore invited the lawyer to take over the food and drinks for the occasion.

He also referred to the accused's behavior before the court and his insistence that the court make him seek a lawyer at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The lawyer insisted that this was one of the reasons he was asking the court to make an order for Daniel Asiedu to be taken to the hospital to determine his rights. He was mentally fit to stand trial.

Mr. Obour insisted that his client's mental state should be determined by a qualified medical practitioner before his plea was heard by the court.

He added that he had made a similar application in the District Court during the removal proceedings but that his application had been rejected by the court.

Opposition

However, the prosecutor led by Sefakor Batse, a general counsel, objected to the petition and said, "As far as we are concerned, we do not have any mental problems with the first accused (Daniel Asiedu)".

According to her, it was too early to address the issue of "madness" because she did not see what has been shown that proves that the accused is weakened.

Decision

After hearing the arguments, the presiding judge, Judge Buadi, ordered that the accused be taken to the Accra Mental Hospital to undergo a mental examination.

According to him, the statements of Daniel Asiedu and his insistence that his lawyer be appointed as a lawyer by the ICC do not make him believe that the defendant appreciates the events and it is only a scientific test that the prove.

He ordered that the case be stayed until the medical report on the mental health of the accused was scientifically established.

He also ordered that the report be ready within one month of receipt of the court's decision and that it be submitted to the court by May 27th.

The clerk of the court must also ensure that the director of the hospital receives this order by the end of the day.

The case resumes on June 3rd.