Suspect in Ahmed Suale Murder Case Remanded in Custody by Court
Daniel Owusu Koranteng, managing director of ISPY Company, has been remanded in custody facing murder charges in the unresolved assassination of journalist Ahmed Suale. His arrest may reveal further details regarding the case, which raised international concern over the safety of journalists in Ghana. The court adjourned the case to allow additional investigations.
Daniel Owusu Koranteng, the Managing Director of ISPY Company, has been remanded in custody by the Madina Magistrates’ Court as a suspect in the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale. He is facing a provisional charge of murder in a case that has remained unresolved for several years, calling into question the safety of journalists in Ghana.
Mr. Koranteng, known as Akwase Amakye, is the first person arrested in connection with Suale’s assassination. His cooperation may assist in revealing the identities of those involved in the heinous act. Ahmed Hussein-Suale was tragically shot near his family residence in Madina on January 16, 2019.
As part of the Tiger Eye PI group, Suale was engaged in a joint investigative project with the BBC that exposed pervasive corruption in African football, which likely made him a target. His murder garnered significant international attention, underscoring the dangers faced by investigative journalists in Ghana.
The arrest of Mr. Koranteng follows an exhaustive investigation conducted by the FBI in collaboration with local law enforcement. Police sources assert that the investigation unveiled critical evidence, including phone records indicating communication between Koranteng and Suale just prior to the murder. Preliminary findings suggest that Koranteng was present in Suale’s neighborhood on the night of the incident.
While Koranteng acknowledged photographing Suale, he denied selling these images to prominent Ghanaian politician Kennedy Agyapong, who had previously displayed the photos on television and incited his followers to attack Suale.
The prosecution disclosed that Suale’s attorney had identified Koranteng as the individual who sold the photographs to Agyapong, the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central. Koranteng’s defense attorney, Kofi Essel, dismissed the provisional charge as “shambolic,” claiming a lack of substantial evidence.
Essel has requested bail for Mr. Koranteng, arguing that the existing allegations do not sufficiently support the charge against him. During the hearing, Magistrate Suzzy Nyakotey postponed the case until April 1 to facilitate further investigations and posed a crucial question regarding whether the sale of photographs could justify a murder charge.
As the inquiry proceeds, authorities express hope that Koranteng’s arrest may result in further developments and, ultimately, justice for Ahmed Suale.
In summary, Daniel Owusu Koranteng has been remanded in custody as a suspect in the ongoing investigation into Ahmed Suale’s murder, which remains unresolved since 2019. His arrest could potentially lead to significant breakthroughs in the case amidst concerns regarding journalist safety in Ghana. The upcoming court session will determine the viability of charges against Koranteng, with the prosecution and defense presenting contrasting views on the evidence at hand.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
