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Tag: Benlord

  • Murder of soldier at Kasoa: Police still waiting for Indictment Bill for Benlord and others

    Murder of soldier at Kasoa: Police still waiting for Indictment Bill for Benlord and others

    The police have yet to receive the Bill of Indictment in the case of Nana Barima Ababio, also known as Benlord Ababio, who allegedly shot and killed a soldier over a land dispute in Kasoa.

    Once received, the Bill of Indictment will be served on both the accused and the court, enabling the commencement of committal proceedings for the defendants to stand trial at the High Court.

    Detective Inspector Samuel Adu Berchie informed the court that the accused, Benlord Ababio and Nana Amo Kofi Kwakye, were not present in court on Thursday due to security concerns.

    The prosecution explained that the police had received information that the family of the deceased soldier planned to storm the courtroom during his burial today.

    As a result, the court adjourned the case to July 4, 2024, and ordered the police to release the deceased’s vehicle to his family.

    Benlord, a self-proclaimed traditional ruler, and Kwakye are facing charges at the Achimota District Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Lance Corporal Michael Danso.

    Upon reviewing the police docket, the Attorney General’s office advised that Benlord be charged with murder and that both Benlord and Kwakye be jointly charged with conspiracy. The court has, however, reserved their pleas.

    According to the prosecution, on April 30, 2024, around 1600 hours, Lance Corporal Michael Danso, along with two colleagues, Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew, drove to Millennium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 to report a trespass.

    They had been informed that encroachers were developing land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.

    Benlord reportedly arrived at the police station, attacked Lance Corporal Michael Danso, and opened fire, killing him instantly. He was subsequently disarmed and arrested by the police.

    Following further investigations, the police also arrested Kwakye.

  • ‘He fired from behind’ – Eyewitness tells it all in shooting of military man in Kasoa

    ‘He fired from behind’ – Eyewitness tells it all in shooting of military man in Kasoa

    Reports suggest that a chief in Millennium City, Kasoa, allegedly fired the fatal shots that led to the killing of a military officer amidst a land dispute.

    The tragic incident has deeply affected the community and has raised concerns about the increasing violence associated with land-related disagreements.

    According to information from Citi News based in Accra, the conflict arose from a land dispute involving the brother of one of the military officers. Allegedly, the brother had purchased land from certain chiefs in Millennium City but faced fierce opposition from landguards whenever he tried to develop the property.

    In an attempt to resolve the dispute, the deceased military officer, accompanied by two colleagues, visited the contested land. Despite previously reporting the issue to the Millennium City District Police Command, their efforts to address the situation peacefully were unsuccessful.

    Arriving at the scene in a Toyota Rav 4 with registration number GR 3591-24, the officers encountered individuals working on the land. As they sought to halt the activity and lodge another complaint at the District Police station, they were confronted by the Gyasehene of Millennium City, identified as Benlord Ababio.

    Witnesses described a tense confrontation between the military officers and the chief, during which the latter allegedly urged the former not to proceed to the Divisional Police Command. Disregarding the plea, the officers continued on their path, leading the alleged assailant to fire shots at their vehicle from behind.

    “I saw the incident happen right in front of me. The Chief, Benload Ababio met the military officers at the District Police station and was trying to speak to them not to go to the Divisional Police Command but they didn’t listen.

    “While they were heading to the Divisional command just after moving their vehicle the Gyamehene Benlord Ababio fired at their vehicle just behind them leading to one of the officers dying in the process.

    Two other officers escaped unhurt but the chief was arrested immediately after the incident and sent to the Divisional Police Command.

    Eyewitnesses recounted to citinewsroom.com that the police later transferred the accused chief to the Accra Division due to concerns about potential retaliation from local landguards.

    Tragically, one of the officers lost his life due to the injuries sustained during the gunfire, while the other two escaped unscathed.

    Promptly apprehended at the scene by law enforcement officers, the accused chief was swiftly transferred to the Accra Division amidst fears of reprisals from local landguards.

    As investigations into the incident continue, the identity of the deceased officer remains undisclosed. Shock and disbelief enveloped bystanders as the grim aftermath unfolded, sparking speculation about the underlying reasons behind the deadly altercation.

    Despite the gravity of the situation, official statements from authorities have yet to be released, leaving many questions unanswered and exacerbating tensions within the community.

    With the investigation ongoing, residents of Kasoa are left to mourn the loss of life and grapple with the repercussions of violence erupting over contentious land ownership disputes.