By An Accra High Court has directed Daniel Asiedu, also known as Sexy Dondon and the prime suspect in the murder case of the late legislator J.B. Dankwah Adu, to present himself before the court and commence his defense.
Furthermore, the court has mandated the ailing Asiedu to provide evidence of his illness by submitting medical records signed by a certified medical practitioner.
The court stated that it would “close the case” if the accused person failed to attend and commence his defense.
Ms. Sophia Armstrong, representing the accused, informed the court that the defendant was indisposed and therefore unable to appear in court.
“My Lady, I am reliably informed that the accused person is sick,” the defence counsel said.
Ms. Armstrong also requested an expedited process for a motion to be heard regarding a subpoena.
She mentioned that Asiedu intended to subpoena certain individuals before commencing his defense.
In response, the prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Sefakor Batse, stated that a motion was unnecessary for subpoenaing a witness. She clarified that the appropriate procedure would be to approach the Registrar of the court to arrange for the subpoena.
Justice Mrs. Lydia Osei Marfo, presiding over the court, ruled that issuing a subpoena on behalf of a party was an administrative task handled by the court’s Registrar, and there was no requirement to file a motion for this purpose.
The court stated that the defense counsel’s request was made in bad faith, emphasizing that the decision to subpoena witnesses before initiating one’s defense could have been made in a timely manner.
“Interestingly, the so-called motion was filed today, April 22, 2024 at exactly 10:10 am. Justice could not have been done this way. This case has already been before me for the past four years.
“This court would not be part of any conspiracy theory to delay the trial any further. If the lawyers knew that they did not want him to testify, they should have said so. They cannot come at 11th hour to spring this surprise on the court,” the court said.
The court thus directed the accused person to appear before it the following day.
Asiedu faces charges of robbery and the murder of the Legislator at his residence in Shiashie, Accra, in 2016. He pleaded not guilty before a seven-member jury, and the court remanded him into lawful custody.
An accomplice, Vincent Bossu, was acquitted after a submission of no case was made on his behalf.
