Daniel Aseidu
The Accra Psychiatric
Hospital says it will need the mother of Daniel Aseidu, who confessed to
killing JB Danquah-Adu, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North,
in order to conduct a psychiatric examination of the accused.
The hospital, in a letter dated May 23, 2019 and addressed to an Accra High Court, which is trying Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Boso, indicated that it has initiated the process to determine the mental state of Asiedu but would need his mother and sister to complete it.
Mental Test
An Accra High Court on April 15 ordered the hospital to examine Daniel Asiedu to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial for allegedly murdering the former MP.
This followed an application by Augustine Obuor, lawyer for the accused person, who told the court that his client might not be mentally fit to appreciate the enormity of the charges leveled against him.
The lawyer, in his argument, averred that his personal encounters with the accused person gave him reason to believe that he might not be mentally sound.
The lawyer cited an instance where Daniel Asiedu told him he would be enstooled as chief in Akwapim and therefore asked him (Mr Obour) to take charge of the food and drinks for the occasion.
The application was, however, opposed by the state led by Sefakor Batse, a senior state attorney
Ms Batse said that “as far as we are concerned we are not aware of any mental issues with the first accused person- Daniel Asiedu.”
According to her, it was too early to bring up the issue of ‘insanity’ in the case.
However, the court presided over by Justice Buadi ordered that the accused person should be taken to the psychiatric hospital for mental examination in the interest of fair trial.
Refusal
Appearing before the court yesterday, Hilda Craig, a senior state attorney, told the court that the accused had refused to follow prison officers to the hospital for the mental test.
A prison officer indicated that two weeks after the order was given, Daniel Asiedu refused to go to the hospital, but changed his mind after the officer convinced him.
Late Appearance
A letter from the hospital indicated that the accused person was conveyed to the hospital at a later date.
The letter also stated that the accused was transported to the hospital on May 20, 2019 without a charge sheet and relative.
The letter further stated that in order to continue the examination, the hospital would need further information from the investigator in charge of the matter.
Daniel Asiedu told the court that he does not know the whereabouts of his mother but his father and sister are available.
New Order
Justice Buadi, subsequently, ordered the investigator, Chief Inspector Augustus Nkrumah, to contact the relations of the accused person by close of work yesterday.
The court further ordered that the report must be ready by June 21, adding that the doctor, who conducted the examination, must be in court on June 27 to explain the report.
By Gibril Abdul Razak