An Accra High Court has postponed the pre-trial hearing of BenLord Ababio and Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye to May 21, 2025. The two are accused in connection with the death of Lance Corporal Michael Danso, which took place on April 30, 2024, at Kasoa.
The court is expected to conclude the case management conference and pre-trial on the next hearing date.
Defence and prosecution present opening arguments
During the recent court session, lawyers for both accused individuals presented their initial arguments before the seven-member jury.
Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh informed the court that the prosecution would call seven witnesses. The goal is to prove charges of conspiracy and murder against the accused.
She also stated that evidence would be submitted to support the case and link both men to the death of Lance Corporal Danso.
Defence asks jury to focus on facts
Benlord’s lawyer, Olver Barker-Vormawor, described the case as tragic. He asked the jury to consider whether the incident was planned and whether both accused conspired to commit the crime.
Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye’s lawyer, Frank Kumakoh, expressed sympathy for the family of the deceased. He urged the jury to assess the events that took place before the shooting and determine whether it could have happened to anyone under similar conditions.
Background of the land dispute
According to the prosecution, the deceased was a military officer stationed at the Army Base Workshop in Burma Camp. Benlord lived in Liberia Camp, while Gyekye lived in Walantu, Kasoa.
The court heard that Benlord led a group of land guards operating in Kasoa and nearby areas.
Patrick Ndego, the first prosecution witness, bought land from 21st Century Company Limited in 2013. In January 2024, he sold part of the land to Lance Corporal Umar Abdul Rahman.
Police ordered a stop to the construction
In March 2024, Ndego saw unknown people building on the land he had sold. He reported it to the police, who ordered all construction to stop until a check with the Lands Commission could be completed.
Despite the police order, the accused were seen working on the land on April 29, 2024. Ndego informed Abdul Rahman of the situation.
Events leading to the fatal shooting
On April 30, 2024, around 4:00 pm, Lance Corporal Danso and two fellow soldiers went to inspect the land. They found several people, including Gyekye, actively working on the property.
Gyekye reportedly called Benlord, who arrived at the site with additional land guards.
The two groups later met at the police station. During the encounter, Lance Corporal Danso was in his vehicle with the engine running. The accused asked him to switch off the ignition, but he instead pressed the accelerator.
From a distance of about 20 to 30 meters, Benlord allegedly fired at the car. One pellet entered through the window and struck Danso in the back of the head.
Benlord was disarmed and arrested on the spot. The soldier was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
