Suspect in Ahmed Suale Murder Case Remanded in Custody
Daniel Owusu Koranteng has been remanded as a suspect in the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale. He faces provisional murder charges following an FBI-led investigation that unveiled critical evidence linking him to the case. The court has adjourned proceedings to further investigate the charges against Koranteng, which center on the circumstances surrounding Suale’s assassination.
The Madina Magistrates’ Court has remanded Daniel Owusu Koranteng, Managing Director of ISPY Company, in custody, as a suspect in the murder case of journalist Ahmed Suale. Koranteng faces provisional murder charges, linked to an assassination that has raised serious concerns regarding journalist safety in Ghana. This marks the first arrest in the case, which remains unresolved for years.
Ahmed Suale was killed by armed assailants near his residence in Madina on January 16, 2019. A member of the investigative group Tiger Eye PI and involved in a disruptive BBC report on corruption in African football, Suale’s work made him a target, which subsequently drew international attention to the dangers faced by journalists in Ghana.
The FBI-led investigation, in coordination with local law enforcement, led to Koranteng’s arrest. Key evidence was revealed, including phone records linking Koranteng and Suale prior to the murder. Claims suggest Koranteng was present in the vicinity of Suale’s home on the night of the killing. Koranteng admitted to photographing Suale but refutes selling the images to notable politician Kennedy Agyapong, who previously urged aggression towards Suale on television.
Suale’s attorney has claimed Koranteng was responsible for selling the photos to Agyapong, a former MP. Koranteng’s defense protests that the charge is “shambolic,” arguing insufficient evidence exists to support the murder claim, and seeks bail for Koranteng. The presiding Magistrate Suzzy Nyakotey adjourned the hearing until April 1, questioning if merely selling photographs justifies a murder charge.
As investigations proceed, there is hope that Koranteng’s detention may facilitate further developments in the unsolved murder case, aiming for justice for Ahmed Suale.
The recent remanding of Daniel Owusu Koranteng in the Ahmed Suale murder case reflects the ongoing struggle for justice and safety for journalists in Ghana. Despite his provisional murder charge, the evidence and motive remain under scrutiny as legal proceedings unfold. The outcome of this case could influence future protections and legislation for investigative journalists in the country.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
