The Madina Magistrates’ Court has placed Daniel Owusu Koranteng, the managing director of ISPY Company, under remand in custody as a suspect in the murder of Ahmed Suale, an undercover journalist.
Concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Ghana are raised by the fact that he is facing a provisional charge of murder in connection with the assassination, which has gone unsolved for years.
The first person to be taken into custody in connection with Suale’s death is Mr. Koranteng, also known as Akwase Amakye, who may be crucial in identifying the perpetrators of the ruthless murder.
On January 16, 2019, armed men shot and killed Ahmed Hussein-Suale close to his Madina family home.
The FBI in the US, working with local law enforcement, conducted a thorough investigation that resulted in Mr. Koranteng’s arrest.
Police sources claim that this investigation turned up crucial evidence, such as phone logs demonstrating correspondence between Koranteng and Suale in the days preceding the murder.
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The court was told by police prosecutors that their initial investigation indicates Koranteng was in the vicinity of Suale’s residence on the night of the killing.
Although Koranteng acknowledges that he took pictures of Suale, he disputes that he sold the pictures to well-known Ghanaian politician Kennedy Agyapong.
On national television, Mr. Agyapong had previously shown the images and exhorted his supporters to assault Suale if they came across him.
The prosecution also disclosed that Suale’s lawyer had named Koranteng as the individual who sold the photos to Agyapong, the former Assin Central MP.
Kofi Essel, Mr. Koranteng’s defence lawyer, called the preliminary charge “shambolic” and contended that the accusations lacked substantial evidence.
He asked for Mr. Koranteng to be released on bail, claiming that there was insufficient evidence to support the charge.
The case was postponed until April 1 by Magistrate Suzzy Nyakotey to allow for additional investigation.
The court brought up an important issue during the hearing: could the sale of photographs be enough justification for a murder charge?
Authorities are optimistic that Koranteng’s arrest will result in additional discoveries and, eventually, justice for Ahmed Suale as the investigation goes on.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Najat Adamu