The premises of the Sekondi High Court turned chaotic after Mr Francis Bentum, father of one of the murdered Takoradi victims attacked one of the suspects involved in the case.
The shocking courtroom assault happened Wednesday and was captured on camera.
This was after the case against suspects John Orji and Sam Udoetuk Wills was adjourned to February 5, 2020.
Visibly angry Mr Bentum, who appeared unhappy about the slow pace of proceedings, physically attacked Wills in the courtroom after the Presiding Judge, Justice Hannah Taylor, granted the State Attorney, Adeliade Kobiri-Woode’s plea for the court to adjourn the case.
Officers stationed at the court had a tough time separating the grieving father as they whisked away the suspects at the tensed court.
The four victims, Priscilla Bentum, Ryth Love Quayson, Priscilla Mantebea Kuranchie and Ruth Abakahm who were kidnapped in Takoradi in the Western Region between July and December 2018 were declared dead in August 2019.
Explaining his actions, Mr Bentum told reporters that: “What they are doing doesn’t make sense. Our ancestors must rise. If I have to die to sacrifice for these children, I will do it”.
Another father of one of the victims, Alexander Kuranchie, also criticised the police’s lack of urgency in the case.
“I am not happy at all because I have realised that the investigator is just playing with our emotions. You were here and you pleaded for extension of date. You were given up 22nd of January which is today.”
“You come to court today to say you’re now preparing your papers. All this while where were you? All this time we come and sit here for five minutes and we rise up after adjournment. So I am not happy about the way they are handling the case. I am not happy at all,” he further stated.
Prosecution, however, had indicated to the court that it is expecting some documents from police investigators to enable it proceed with the case in another court hence the adjournment.
This is the second time such an attack has been launched on the suspects.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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