Thursday, 28 March

Benneh's alleged 'killers' charged with murder, denied bail

Crime
Prof Yaw Benneh

Two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Prof Yaw Benneh of the University of Ghana Law School, Isaac Botchway, 41 and Adams Mensah Mansur, 52; have been charged with murder and denied bail by the Kaneshie Circuit Court 2.

They were among four suspects arrested on Sunday, 13 September 2020 in connection with the killing of the Prof Benneh at his Agyiringano residence.

The other suspects include James Nana Wombe, 26; and Christian Pobee, 32.

They are all domestic staff of the late 66-year-old law professor.

The four are suspected to have intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of the law professor.

The facts of the case, as presented by Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo, are that Professor Benneh’s body was found in his home at about 8 am on Thursday, 10 September 2020, in a pool of blood with his hands tied behind his back and marks of multiple acts of assault and resultant cuts on his body.

In court, however, Mr Robert Sumaa, the lawyer for Mr Isaac Botchway and Adams Mensah Mansur, said his clients served the late professor for 26 years and had no ill will toward him, thus, prayed the court to grant them bail as the investigations continued.

Mr Sumaa assured the court that his clients would be readily available any time they were needed by the police or the court.

He prayed the court not to sacrifice the rights of the accused persons in the pursuit of justice for the late professor and his family, despite the tragic situation.

The prosecution, however, argued that granting them bail could compromise the investigations and, thus, prayed the court to remand the four suspects for four months.

In his view, the bail application was premature.

The court, presided over by Eleanor Kakra Barnes-Botchway, however, remanded the four into police custody to reappear on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

The judge said it was beyond the jurisdiction of the court to grant bail in a case bordering on capital offence.

Source: Classfmonline.com