Police Await Bill of Indictment for Benlord and Co-Accused in Soldier’s ‘Murder’ at Kasoa

The police are currently awaiting the Bill of Indictment in the case involving Nana Barima Ababio, also known as Benlord Ababio, accused of fatally shooting a soldier in Kasoa amid a land dispute.

As of now, the police have not yet received the Bill of Indictment, which is crucial for formally charging the accused and initiating committal proceedings to transfer the case to the High Court.

Detective Inspector Samuel Adu Berchie informed the court that the accused persons, Benlord Ababio and Nana Amo Kofi Kwakye, were absent from the court session on Thursday, June 20 2024 due to security concerns.

The prosecution had received information that the deceased soldier’s family intended to disrupt proceedings, coinciding with his funeral.

Consequently, the court has adjourned the matter to July 4, 2024.

Additionally, the court has instructed the police to release the deceased soldier’s vehicle to his family.

Benlord Ababio, who claims to be a traditional ruler, along with Nana Amo Kofi Kwakye, are currently facing charges at the Achimota District Court in connection with the murder of Lance Corporal Michael Danso.

The Attorney General’s office, upon receiving the police docket, recommended that Benlord be charged with murder, while both Benlord and Kwakye should face conspiracy charges jointly. However, the accused have not entered their pleas yet.

According to the prosecution’s case, on April 30, 2024, Lance Corporal Michael Danso and two colleagues visited the Millennium City Police Station to report a land trespass issue.

The dispute involved encroachers developing land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.

During this encounter, Benlord allegedly appeared at the police station, attacked, and fatally shot Lance Corporal Michael Danso, who was driving a Toyota RAV4 vehicle. The soldier died instantly from the gunshot wounds.

Benlord was swiftly disarmed and arrested by the police at the scene, while Kwakye was apprehended later following investigations into the incident.