Madam Veronica Bamford, the mother of Major Maxwell Mahama who was killed by a mob at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region, has expressed satisfaction with the sentencing of 12 persons involved in the murder of her son.
The young soldier met his untimely death at the hands of the irate mob whilst on official duty as detachment commander, on Monday, May 29, 2017.
He was promoted posthumously to the rank of Major on June 5, 2017.
After six years of trial at the High Court in Accra, the jury in the Major Mahama case on January 29, 2024, returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 12 out of the 14 persons standing trial for his death.
The 12, including the then Assemblyman William Baah, were found guilty on the counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder.
They have been sentenced to life imprisonment each for the counts they were found guilty of.
The other two were acquitted and discharged.
Family of the late soldier cladded in black outfit with red armbands including the mother, father and siblings of the late soldier were all present in an emotionally-tensed court session.
Addressing journalists after the court proceedings, Madam Veronica Bamford recounted the pains she endured after her son’s murder.
She also expressed appreciation to family and friends who supported her throughout the trying time.
Madam Bamford stated, “The murder of my son has been determined, and I’m thankful to God for the strength to endure over 6 years of agonizing pain. The twists and turns of events and the associated heartaches are unspeakable.
“God knows my plight as a mother whose loving son was snatched away from her in such a gory manner and gave me family and friends to commiserate with me.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney General Godfred Dame is hoping that the verdict would act as a deterrent to people who practice mob justice.
“It’s been a long battle, starting way back in December 2017. Persons accused were committed to some trial at the High Court that was in April 2018. It’s been about 5 years or more; the whole justice system, as we all know, grinds slowly. But today we have seen justice,” he told Citi News.
“Two have been acquitted and 12 sentenced. I don’t think the public will contest the acquittal of those two persons. We are satisfied with the conviction. And we can only express our sympathies with the family of the late Major Mahama. They have suffered a lot; they have gone through a lot, but at least they have seen justice, and I’m sure they should be happy about it.”
Background
Major Mahama was lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region on May 29, 2017, while on duty. It was later narrated that the military officer had been mistaken for a robber.
Following the incident, over 50 suspects were rounded up, out of which 14 were eventually screened for prosecution. They are William Baah, then-Assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy, Kofi Nyame a.k.a. Abortion, Akwasi Boah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Michael Anim, and Bismarck Donkor. The rest are John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga, and Kwadwo Anima.
The High Court, in July 2022, overruled a submission of no case made by lawyers of the 14 accused persons in the Major Mahama Murder trial.
The 14, including then-assemblyman for Denkyira Obuasi, William Baah, argued that the prosecution had not made a compelling case against them. Their lawyers argued that they had not been implicated in the tragic killing of Major Mahama and should be freed of the charge.
Justice Mariama Owusu, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High Court Judge, however, rejected their argument.
Her Ladyship held that the charges of intentionally causing harm to and the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama had been sufficiently demonstrated by the prosecution and needed to be defended.
She consequently overruled the submission of no case and called upon the accused persons to open their defense.