Daniel Asiedu, also known as “Sexy Don-Don,” will face a retrial in the murder case of the late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu.
The retrial follows a 4-3 split verdict by a seven-member jury, which failed to reach a unanimous decision on charges of robbery and murder.
The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, led Justice Lydia Osei Marfo to discharge the jury under Section 285(4) of the Criminal and Other Offenses (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
Citing the inconclusive decision, the judge ordered a retrial to resolve lingering questions surrounding the case.
Asiedu remains in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on December 20, 2024.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to February 9, 2016, when the late MP was allegedly attacked in his residence at East Legon, Accra.
According to prosecutors, Asiedu climbed into the MP’s room using a ladder, fatally stabbed him multiple times in the chest and neck, and fled with three mobile phones.
Asiedu, who was arrested following police investigations, has consistently pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery and murder.
His defense team has maintained that he is innocent and that the prosecution’s case lacks sufficient evidence to prove his guilt.
The Trial
The prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Mrs. Sefakor Batse, presented evidence from eight witnesses, including the MP’s driver, security guard, neighbors, a pathologist, a DNA analyst, and an investigator.
Their testimonies were supported by DNA evidence and the accused’s alleged confession, as well as claims linking him to the stolen phones.
In her closing arguments, Mrs. Batse asserted that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, describing Asiedu as “unrepentant” and urging the jury to return a guilty verdict on both charges.
The defense, led by Rev. Yaw Dankwa, challenged the prosecution’s narrative, highlighting inconsistencies in witness testimonies and forensic evidence.
Dankwa criticized the lack of forensic testing on key items, such as the alleged murder weapon, and questioned the credibility of the DNA analysis.
He also argued that the jury was not presented with sufficient evidence to convict Asiedu and suggested that the real culprits remained at large.
Hung Jury and Retrial
After deliberating for over eight hours, the jury returned a 4-3 split verdict, with four members voting not guilty and three voting guilty on both charges.
The absence of a unanimous decision resulted in a hung jury, compelling the court to order a retrial.
Justice Lydia Osei Marfo noted that a retrial was necessary to address the unresolved questions and ensure a fair conclusion to the case.
The Incident
According to court records, Asiedu allegedly entered the MP’s home in the early hours of February 9, 2016, by climbing over a fence and using a ladder to access the bedroom.
Prosecutors allege that he attacked the MP, resulting in a fatal struggle, and later fled with the stolen phones.
Police investigations reportedly linked Asiedu to the crime through DNA evidence found at the scene, blood-stained phones traced to the accused, and statements he allegedly made during interrogation.
Legal Arguments and Developments
Defense lawyers raised significant concerns about the reliability of the evidence presented, including the handling of DNA samples and the prosecution’s failure to produce key witnesses, such as the deceased’s wife.
The case has also been marked by controversies, including delays in forensic testing and alleged procedural lapses during the investigation.
Asiedu’s counsel previously requested a psychiatric evaluation for the accused, which declared him fit to stand trial.
Retrial
With the retrial pending, both the prosecution and defense are expected to revisit their arguments and evidence.
The retrial will likely reignite public interest in this high-profile case, which has drawn significant attention since its inception.
Asiedu remains in custody, awaiting the next hearing, while his legal team prepares to contest the charges once again.
