Daniel Asiedu
Daniel Asiedu, who is facing trial for the murder of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, J.B Danquah-Adu, shocked an Accra Magistrate Court yesterday when he confessed to killing the MP.
The accused told the police in his statement upon his arrest that he was hired by an MP from a particular political persuasion to commit the act.
According to him, he was contracted by some individuals in the NPP through a middleman to murder the legislator in his house.
He told the court that a certain man, who was acting on behalf of the NPP officials, promised to give him whatever he wanted.
Per the agreement, the accused, who is also known as Sexy Don Don, said that the contractor told him to blame it on officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in case he was arrested.
He said the “contractor” was to find ways to set him free in case he was arrested.
The accused made the ‘confession’ in open court after he drew the attention of the judge, who is presiding over the committal proceedings.
Chief Inspector Simon Apiosornu, who held brief for the prosecutor, DSP George Amega, told the court a few seconds earlier that the prosecution was still waiting for the Attorney General’s advice on the matter.
The police prosecutor was still on his feet when Daniel Asiedu drew the attention of the Magistrate, Arit Nsemoh, who asked him if he had anything to say about the case.
It was at this point that he made his ‘confession.’
He said he was promised a promotion after killing the MP but his “contractor” failed to fulfill his promise to him.
Asked by the court what kind of promotion he was promised, the accused said the “contractor” promised to give him anything he asked for.
He told the court that since his arrest, the “contractor” had only visited him once in prison.
Asked by the court whether he was induced to make the statement he was making, Sexy Don Don, told the court that his time in jail has changed him and he wanted the truth to be out there.
The presiding judge, however, told the accused she cannot record what he was saying as her court was only doing the committal.
She prompted the accused that his confession cannot set him free, urging him to reserve his evidence for the High Court which is the proper court for trial.
Magistrate Nsemoh also asked the accused to sleep over his statement and determine whether he wants to make some additions, stand by them or retract them.
Accomplice
Meanwhile, the second accused person, Vincent Bosso, has complained to the court that he has nothing to do with the murder of the late MP.
According to him, he had been in prison custody for a crime he did not commit, adding that the development has affected his relationship with his relations who have abandoned him.
He told the court that he has a young child who he is unable to cater for as a result of his incarceration.
The presiding judge told him that investigations were still ongoing and that the AG’s advice was still not ready.
Background
The Abuakwa North MP was on February 9 2016 stabbed to death in his home at Shiashe in Accra.
Daniel Asiedu was arrested the next day and he allegedly confessed to committing the crime.
His alleged accomplice, Vincent Bosso, was later arrested for allegedly conspiring with Asiedu to commit the crime.
The two are currently before an Accra Magistrate Court, and the case is still at committal at the District Court.
The AG’s advice will play a significant role in determining the fate of the two accused persons.
By Gibril Abdul Razak and Maame Anima Akowuah