Juror in JB Danquah’s murder trial fails to show up in court; judge threatens sanctions next time
- JB Danquah’s driver says the late lawmaker’s housemaid informed him about his boss’ murder
- He said he received the news about two hours after they said goodnight to each other
- It has been five years since the lawmaker was grisly murdered
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A juror in the murder trial of JB Danquah, the late Abuakwa North legislator, did not show up when the case was called for hearing on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
The said juror was reportedly held up in another trial in Criminal Court 3, the jury foreman told the court, citinewsroom reported.
Source: UGC
The absence of the seventh juror forced Justice Lydia Osei Marfo to adjourn the case.
The judge reportedly threatened to “dissolve” the seven-member jury should any member fail to show up when the case is called.
The State, led by Principal State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, was expected to call its second witness in the matter today, but the absence of the juror forced the case to be adjourned to May 6 at 9.30 am.
It will be recalled that Yaw Dankwa, the lead counsel for Daniel Asiedu, one of the suspects facing trial for the murder of JB Danquah accused the late lawmaker’s driver of killing him.
The late JB Danquah was murdered in his home on February 9, 2016.
He was a member of the Parliament of Ghana representing the people of Abuakwa North on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) between 2005 and 2009, and once more from 2013 until his death.
It has been five years after the gruesome murder of the former MP and justice is yet to be served in the case.
During his cross-examination of Samuel Berko Sarkodie, the late MP’s driver on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, Dankwa told the court that the driver perfectly fit the killer.
Sarkodie is the first witness called by the state.
Dankwa’s focus was on the body of the late MP and Daniel Asiedu.
He contends during his cross-examination that there was no way Daniel Asiedu could overpower the late MP considering his body size, weight, and height.
He said the late MP was killed by someone who knew him extremely well.
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reports that Sarkodie on Monday, April 26, 2021, told the court that he received the news of JB Danquah’s murder two hours after bidding him goodnight.
Appearing before the court as a prosecution witness, Sarkodie said he said goodnight to the late lawmaker around 11:40 pm after handing him the keys to the car.
“When we got home around 11:40 pm, I handed over the car keys to him, and I said goodbye. I came out of the house and walked away to search for a vehicle to go home,” he told the court.
Sarkodie continued that just when he was about to sleep after taking his bath at about 1:30 am, “I had a call from the home of the late JB; I was surprised because I was coming from there.”
The housemaid was the one calling him.
“I asked her why she was calling, and she told me armed robbers had attacked the late JB. I then asked her about the whereabouts of the late JB, and she began crying,” he told the court.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
