Main culprits behind Major Mahama murder at large - Witness

Ebenezer Appiah, 7th persecution witness (PW7) in the trial of the alleged murderers of the Major Maxwell Mahama, has told an Accra High Court that the actual persons, who masterminded the  lynching of the past serviceman are on the run.

Although he did not tell the court, presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, the main culprits, he, however, stated that because he was afraid of what would have befallen him after the incident, that was why he fled from Denkyira Obuasi.

He also could not testify before the court what role his brother, Kweku Amoh, played in the murder of the fallen Major. 

PW7 said this when being cross-examined by counsel for Micheal Anim and Charles Kwaning, Augustine Gyamfi.

The following is how PW7 was grilled yesterday at the court:

Will you agree with me that the very people who masterminded the lynching of Major Mahama are on the run? Yes. You cannot tell any specific act Kweku Amoh did which led to the death of Major Mahama? When I saw him he wasn’t doing anything, but if he did something later, I cannot tell.

Cross-examination by Bernard Shaw (counsel for other five accused persons).

Do you know me? Yes. How do you know me? You were representing us in court. And I also represented you at the Accra Central Magistrate Court. Yes. During those momentous days you were very anxious about the outcome of the case. Yes. Because you were so afraid of what will befall you, you fled from Denkyira Obuasi? Yes. But you were fished out and you were arrested and put behind bars? Yes. And that is why I was asking you if you were anxious. So you agree with me that you have lied to this court about what was going through your mind at that time? That is so. And you also lied to the court if you say you also saw the video? That is not so. You told my learned friend that you didn’t see the video. What you said was that my statement was taken before I watched the video. I put it to you that you said you didn’t watch the video? I said so, but I said when I was taken to Nsawam Prison we were made to watch the video. Who made you watch the video? The cell leader of Cell 1 Block 10. How did he show you the video? On a mobile phone. Are you good with time? Yes, I know. So why have you given different times in your statements in relation to this matter? What I know is what I said. I would say that you are lying again, because in your June 2 statement you said 12. Not so. I said 9. Who took your statement? A certain CID at Sefwi. Did he take it in your presence? Yes. And you were asked to thumbprint and confirm your statement. He asked me to thumbprint and didn’t ask me to confirm. Did that bother you? No. The officer told you he was investigating a murder case in which you were involved. He said he saw me in the video, so I should mention those who took part in the murder of Major Mahama. Is it your case that he never told you that you are a suspect in a murder case? No. Another police officer who said I was among those charged for the murder. Did you tell this court that you saw the Assembly Man riding towards Diaso on the day of the murder? Yes. And the next time you saw him again, was when he arrived at the crime scene with the police? Yes. And when the police came to take the body, he didn’t even come down from the police vehicle? Yes. After delivering your goods did you go home? Yes. Did anything untoward happen in town? Yes. What happened? They said the thief had been caught. Did you do anything when you heard that? I also went out to watch. What was your motivation in coming? I was going to watch because I heard he had been caught. When you got there, was there a large crowd? Yes. And, this was a time crime was on the high in Denkyire Obuasi? Yes. And when they said they had arrested the thief almost everyone came out? Yes, because one of the robbers had run to into the bush so people thought he was the one. There was chaos at the scene of the crime? Yes. And, some were hitting him and others wanted to get close to hit him? When I got there, people were wielding blocks, sticks and stones, but I only saw one person who took part in the lynching. How about your brother, Kweku Amoh? I only flashed on him once. What was he doing? I saw him in the crowd, but I don’t know what he was doing. Why didn’t you tell the police your brother was part of the crowd? They asked about those taking part in the crime and not those at the crime scene. I am suggesting to you that your brother was part of those who lynched Major Mahama? I don’t know. And, that is why he is still at large? I do not know. You were released when you were told you were no longer going to be an accused person? I was happy, but later sad. Why were you sad? Because I was going home and my colleagues were still in custody.

The presiding judge, however, adjourned the case to , March 20.