KEY POINTS
- Court denies bail for BenLord Ababio in murder case again.
- State argues he is a flight risk and a danger to society.
- The case involves the fatal shooting of a soldier at a police station.
A self-proclaimed traditional ruler, Nana Barima Ababio, also known as BenLord Ababio, has been denied bail for the second time by the Accra High Court. He is accused of fatally shooting a military officer during a land dispute at Millennium City, near Kasoa.
BenLord Ababio, who is standing trial alongside Nana Kofi Amo Kwakye on a charge of conspiracy to commit a crime, also faces a separate charge of murder.
At a bail hearing on February 11, 2025, his lawyer, Nii Korle, argued that the accused is innocent until proven guilty and that bail would ensure his fundamental rights are protected.
The defense lawyer assured the court that BenLord Ababio was not a flight risk and would be available for trial if granted bail.
“We will comply with any conditions the court deems necessary to guarantee his attendance at trial. The accused person will not evade justice if granted bail,” Korle told the court.
Prosecution pushes back against bail
However, State Attorney Frederick Adu-Gyamfu opposed the bail application, citing three main concerns.
He told the court that BenLord Ababio had committed the offense while out on bail for another case, making him unlikely to appear for trial if released.
“The accused person, given his violent nature, is likely to commit further offenses,” Adu-Gyamfu argued.
According to Graphic Online, he further emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that the murder was committed in public, right at a police station, and that the evidence against the accused was overwhelming.
Presiding Judge Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie ultimately ruled against the bail application, ordering BenLord Ababio to remain in custody until the next hearing scheduled for February 25, 2025.
Background of the case
The case stems from a violent altercation on April 30, 2024, when Lance Corporal Michael Danso and two other officers, Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew, arrived at Millennium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 to report an ongoing land dispute.
The officers had received reports that trespassers were unlawfully developing land owned by Lance Corporal Rahman.
While they were filing their complaint, BenLord Ababio allegedly appeared at the station and opened fire on Lance Corporal Danso, killing him instantly while he was seated behind the wheel.
The police officers at the station quickly disarmed and arrested him. Further investigations led to the arrest of his co-accused, Nana Kofi Amo Kwakye.
The case continues to draw significant public attention, with many closely following the court proceedings to see whether BenLord Ababio will ultimately stand trial or secure bail in future hearings.
