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Murder of Sogakope assembly member: Mason jailed for life, 2 others get 94 years in jail
Five years after the assembly member for Sogakope, Mawuli Adzahli was robbed and shot dead at his residence in Sogakope by some gangsters, the ringleader, Richard Adikyere, a mason, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The court in Ho, presided over by Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah, also sentenced two accomplices to 47 years each in prison for robbery.
Adikyere had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of firearms without lawful authority and murder.
The two others, Emmanuel Hedzro, unemployed and Stephen Adzibolo, also pleaded not guilty to robbery.But they were all found guilty by the court.
Four other accomplices in the case, Obed Ayornu, Michael Sam, Samuel Kofi Zotorvi and his twin brother, Christain Zotorvi who entered plea deals with the court and pleaded guilty for their complicity in the case, were each sentenced to 15 years at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Hedzro, the first accused in the case, sometime in 2020 informed his friend Adikyere that there was a wealthy merchant in Sogakope, and then instructed him to recruit a gang to join them to rob him.
The first accused then led Adikyere to show him the house of the assembly member and subsequently Adikyere recruited other gangsters for the operation.
Senior State Attorney, Andrews Dodzi Adugu said as part of the robbery operation, Adikyere, Adzibolo, Ayornu and Sam stormed the house of the Mawuli Adzahli on March 1, 2020, at about 1:30 am and broke into the room using cement blocks.
The court heard that a pump action gun and two pistols belonging to Adikyere were also used for the operation.
In the process, the prosecution said, Adikyere shot the merchant three times and killed him at the scene, before the gang took away a large sum of money from the house.
A post-mortem examination at the Sogakope District Hospital revealed the cause of death as head and chest injuries from gun shots at close range.
Days after the incident, the police arrested the accused persons, including Hedzro who had used his share of the booty to buy himself a motorbike valued at GH¢4,800.
The accused were arrested at different locations, including Ashaiman.
During interrogation, Adikyere admitted he shot and killed the assembly member with a pump action gun, the court heard.
It also emerged that Adikyere stole the gun from an earlier robbery incident, the court was further told.
Giving judgement, the court said it took into account the heinous and callous nature of the offences committed by the accused persons.
The court said it also considered the overwhelming evidence from the prosecution to prove its case.
As they were being led out of court, Adikyere who was handcuffed to Hedzro attempted to attack journalists who were trying to take photographs of them.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
