A self-proclaimed traditional ruler accused of fatally shooting a military officer over a land dispute at Millennium City, near Kasoa in the Central Region, has been denied bail by the Accra High Court.
Nana Barima Ababio, also known as BenLord Ababio, is on trial alongside Nana Kofi Amo Kwakye for conspiracy, while BenLord faces an additional charge of murder.
At the bail hearing on February 11, 2025, defense counsel Nii Korle argued that his client was innocent until proven guilty and urged the court to uphold his fundamental rights by granting him bail.
He assured the court that BenLord was not a flight risk and would comply with all conditions imposed to ensure his attendance at trial.
In response, State Attorney Frederick Adu-Gyamfu strongly opposed the bail application.
He argued that the accused was unlikely to appear for trial if released, as he had committed the offence while already on bail for a separate matter.
Adu-Gyamfu also described BenLord as a violent individual likely to reoffend and emphasized that the alleged murder took place in broad daylight at a police station, with overwhelming evidence against him.
After hearing both arguments, Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie denied the bail request, marking the second time BenLord has been refused bail.
He remains in prison custody, and the case has been adjourned to February 25, 2025.
On April 30, 2024, around 4 p.m., Lance Corporal Michael Danso and his colleagues, Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew, drove to the Millennium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 to report a case of trespassing.
They had received information that some individuals were illegally developing land belonging to Lance Corporal Rahman.
While they were at the station, BenLord arrived and opened fire on Lance Corporal Danso, who was behind the wheel, killing him instantly. The police at the station swiftly disarmed and arrested him.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Kwakye, who was also implicated in the case.
