Eric Kojo Dua
AN ACCRA High Court has indicated that it is facing difficulties in empaneling a jury to hear the case of Eric Kojo Dua and Michael Safro Ani, who are standing trial for allegedly shooting to death two police officers at Budumburam, near Kasoa, last year.
The court was expected to empanel a seven-member jury to assist in trying the case but it had to adjourn due to what the court said was a “difficulty getting jurors.”
The court on May 20 adjourned the case to yesterday due to the same unspecified challenge which still persists.
The case has been adjourned to July 1, 2021, to try and empanel the jury again.
Dua is facing two charges of murder while Ani has been charged with abetment of murder.
They were committed for trial by a Kaneshie Magistrate Court which found that the evidence against them was enough for them to be prosecuted at a High Court.
The accused, during their maiden appearance before the High Court, pleaded not guilty and were remanded into custody.
Deadly Incident
Dua, on August 28, 2020, allegedly shot and killed Sgt Michael Dzamesi, a service driver, and L/Cpl Awal Mohammed – both personnel of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) at Kasoa.
The officers were said to be on task force duties on the Kasoa-Winneba Highway when Dua and three others, on board an unregistered Toyota Camry, blatantly ignored a signal from the officers to stop and sped off.
The police, in reaction, pursued them. In the process, Dua shot and killed both officers who have since been laid to rest.
Dua was on the run after the deadly incident, and was later arrested on the Senchi Bridge on Saturday, August 31, 2020, in the Eastern Region.
He is reported to have said he killed Sgt. Dzamesi out of revenge for the death of his mother because he was convinced that the deceased was responsible for it.
Sarfo Ani is alleged to have aided Dua in firing the weapon at the two police officers.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak