Major Mahama murder: 12 suspects found guilty, sentenced to life imprisonment,  2 set free

In a crucial decision in the Major Mahama lynching case, the jury found 12 of the 14 people on trial for the horrific conduct guilty by a unanimous vote.

The accused have been found guilty of counts related to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder. The Assembly Member of the area, accused of rallying the community against Major Mahama, is among those convicted.

Two of the accused individuals have been acquitted and discharged after the jury found them not guilty of the charges levelled against them. The jury has been discharged, and the 12 convicted individuals are now awaiting sentencing by Justice Mariama Owusu.

Background:

Major Maxwell Mahama was brutally lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region on May 29, 2017, while on duty. The military officer was tragically mistaken for a robber, leading to the senseless attack by a mob.

Following the incident, over 50 suspects were rounded up, and eventually, 14 were screened for prosecution. Among the accused were William Baah, the then-Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy, Kofi Nyame alias Abortion, Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.

The trial faced a significant legal hurdle in July 2022 when the High Court overruled a submission of no case made by the lawyers of the accused persons.

The defence argued that the prosecution had not presented a compelling case against their clients, asserting that they had not been implicated in the tragic killing of Major Mahama.

Justice Mariama Owusu, a Supreme Court Justice sitting as an additional High Court Judge, rejected the defence’s argument. Her Ladyship held that the charges of intentionally causing harm to and the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama had been sufficiently demonstrated by the prosecution and warranted a defence.

The guilty verdict for 12 individuals in this high-profile case marks a significant milestone in pursuing justice for the late Major Mahama.