Court denies bail to suspects in murder case of ‘Dubai’ CEO

A High Court in Wa, presided over by Justice Abdul-Yussif Assibey, has ruled against a bail application for suspects involved in the murder of the CEO of the Royal Cozy Hills Hotel in Jurapa (Jirapa Dubai).

Mr Luanga Bagonluri, lawyer for the second and third suspects in the case, Belinda Milla and Kweku Kumbata respectively, applied for bail for the two suspects on the condition that they would remain innocent until proven guilty.

In his application for bail, counsel argued that the suspects were in lawful custody and would appear before the judge if granted bail.

In her submissions in the case of Belinda Milla, Mr Bagonluri said that if she were granted bail, she would not interfere in any way with the witnesses in the case.

He requested the court to take cognizance of the case for which she had been summoned, for complicity in a crime, and to release her on bail. He assured the court of her utmost cooperation during the trial.

The defense also argued that allowing his clients to post bail would amount to a fair trial, given the statutory holiday that would take place in August and the likelihood of the case resuming in October 2024 is slim.

That was the third time Mr Bagonluri had applied for bail for the suspects, but all attempts had failed.

However, the Public Prosecution, led by Mr Saeed Abdul Shakuur, a senior public prosecutor in the Upper West Region, argued that given the seriousness of the offence, namely complicity in murder, and the fact that she could face life imprisonment if found guilty, she would not appear in court if granted bail.

The prosecution told the court that the grounds on which the defence sought bail were the same as the conditions under which the previous applications had been denied. It asked the court to again deny the defendants bail.

The Public Prosecution Service further argued that the fact that the court was on a statutory holiday did not justify releasing the suspects on bail if they were not entitled to it under the law.

The prosecution therefore requested the court to keep the suspects in custody throughout the trial, in the interest of justice.

Passing sentence on the bail application for the second suspect, Belinda Milla, Justice Assibey said that given the nature, gravity and seriousness of the offence, the second suspect would not appear in court if granted bail.

He assured the Public Prosecution Service and the defense of a speedy hearing of the case and proposed to file an injunction to continue the hearing of the case even during the legal vacation period.

However, the lawyers for Elisha Mahama, the first person in that case, Mr Clement Eledi and the second and third defendants, Mr Luanga, opposed the proposed warrant. They argued that it was not a case with a special trial and that there was no need for a speedy trial.

Mr Eledi argued that he needed the statutory holiday to rest and get back to business.

The case has been adjourned until July 26, 2024 for a hearing.

Source: GNA