Friday, June 4, 2010

Issa Mobilla's case adjourned

Friday, June 4, 2010 (Page 3)

THE trial involving three soldiers who have been accused of murdering the former Northern Regional Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Alhaji Issa Mobilla, was yesterday adjourned because the foreman of the jurors was indisposed.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Senyo Dzamefe, explained that the court had received a letter which indicated that the foreman of the seven-member jury was ill and had been given two weeks’ excuse duty by his medical doctor to recuperate.
Mr Justice Dzamefe said the accused persons were facing trial by indictment, which could not go on in the absence of a juror or jurors.
He, accordingly, adjourned hearing to June 28, 2010.
The accused — Corporal Yaw Appiah, Private Eric Modzaka and Private Seth Goka — are facing two counts of conspiracy and murder.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The third accused person, Private Seth Goka, is on the run and is being tried in absentia.
The facts of the case are that Alhaji Mobilla was arrested by the police on December 9, 2004 for allegedly supplying the youth in Tamale with guns to foment trouble.
While he was in custody, the police received information that his followers and sympathisers were mobilising to free him. The deceased was consequently transferred from police cells to the Kamina Military Barracks and handed over to the three accused persons.
According to the prosecution, Alhaji Mobilla died three hours after he had been handed over to the accused persons, who were on duty that day.

No comments: