Samuel Tetteh and Abubakar Sadick have been committed to stand trial at the High Court for the murder of 21-year-old Private Sherif Imoro at Ashaiman. This decision was made by the TDC Magistrate Court in Tema, presided over by Magistrate Mrs. Benedicta Antwi.
The court initially discharged all accused persons following an application from the prosecution to withdraw the previous charge sheet filed in April 2023. A new charge of murder was then filed against Tetteh and Sadick. Consequently, Ibrahim Abdul Rakib, Safianu Musah, and Yusif Mohammed were discharged as their names were omitted from the new charge sheet.
According to the defense counsel, the three discharged individuals were linked to the phone involved in the case only because Tetteh and Sadick allegedly stole the phone from the soldier and sold it, leading to its subsequent resale. Lawyer Abdul Fatau Abdallah, counsel for one of the discharged, Ibrahim Abdul Rakib, explained that they were only involved in dishonestly receiving the stolen phone.
However, shortly after their discharge, Rakib and Musah were rearrested and placed into police custody, pending arraignment at a later date. Mohammed was released due to his minimal involvement in the crime.
Incident Details
The facts presented to the court indicate that Tetteh and Sadick attacked the deceased at about 1:45 AM on March 4, 2023, at Taifa Ashaiman. They intended to rob him of his phone and backpack. During the struggle, Tetteh allegedly pulled out a knife, stabbed the deceased in the arm, and fled with the phone, leaving the knife in the victim’s arm.
Further investigations revealed that Tetteh and Sadick sold the stolen phone to Rakib, who then resold it to others. This chain of transactions linked the three discharged individuals to the crime, although their involvement was limited to the handling of the stolen phone.
The murder of Private Imoro has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the crime and the fact that the victim was a soldier. The community in Ashaiman has been particularly affected by the incident, with many calling for swift justice.
Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
The commitment of Tetteh and Sadick to stand trial for murder marks a significant step in the case. The high-profile nature of the crime, involving the murder of a soldier, has drawn considerable public attention. The prosecution’s decision to withdraw the initial charges and refile underlines the seriousness of the accusations against Tetteh and Sadick.
The case will now proceed to the High Court, where Tetteh and Sadick will face charges for the murder of Private Sherif Imoro. The legal proceedings will determine their culpability and the extent of their involvement in the crime.
The rearrest and detention of Rakib and Musah indicate that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are determined to ensure that all those involved in the crime are held accountable. The release of Mohammed due to his minimal connection to the crime suggests that the prosecution is focusing on those with more direct involvement.
Public reaction to the case has been strong, with many calling for justice for the slain soldier. Community leaders and members of the public have expressed their outrage and sorrow over the incident, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice swiftly.
The Ghanaian military has also shown a keen interest in the case, given that the victim was one of their own. The military has pledged its support to the family of Private Imoro and has called for a thorough and fair investigation into the matter
Source: Graphic Online
