Suspect in Ahmed Suale Murder Case Remanded in Custody

Daniel Owusu Koranteng has been remanded in custody for his alleged role in the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale. The case, unresolved since 2019, has raised concerns about journalist safety in Ghana. Investigations led by the FBI uncovered evidence linking Koranteng to Suale before the murder. His defense challenges the evidence’s reliability, and the court has set further hearings for April 1st.

The Madina Magistrates’ Court has remanded Daniel Owusu Koranteng, Managing Director of ISPY Company, as a suspect in the murder of Ahmed Suale, an undercover journalist. He faces a provisional murder charge linked to the unresolved assassination that has raised concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Ghana. Koranteng, who is the first to be arrested concerning the case, may help identify those responsible for Suale’s cold-blooded killing.

Ahmed Hussein-Suale was fatally shot by armed individuals near his residence in Madina on January 16, 2019. As a member of Tiger Eye PI, he collaborated with the BBC to publish an investigative report on corruption in African football, potentially making him a target. His murder garnered significant international attention, emphasizing the dangers faced by investigative journalists in the country.

Mr. Koranteng’s arrest follows a thorough investigation led by the FBI in the U.S. alongside local law enforcement. Evidence uncovered during the inquiry includes phone records indicating communication between Koranteng and Suale in the days preceding the murder. Additionally, preliminary police findings suggested Koranteng’s presence in the vicinity of Suale’s home that fateful night.

While Koranteng acknowledged photographing Suale, he denied selling these pictures to Kennedy Agyapong, a notable Ghanaian politician who previously urged his followers on national television to attack Suale if encountered. Moreover, Suale’s lawyer identified Koranteng as the individual responsible for selling those photographs to Agyapong, the former MP for Assin Central.

Koranteng’s defense attorney, Kofi Essel, criticized the provisional charge as “shambolic,” asserting that the claims did not constitute credible evidence. He requested bail for Koranteng, arguing that the case lacks sufficient proof to substantiate the murder charge. During the hearing, Magistrate Suzzy Nyakotey postponed the case until April 1, raising essential questions about whether the sale of photographs alone could justify a murder charge.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities are optimistic that the arrest of Mr. Koranteng will lead to significant progress in uncovering the truth and achieving justice for Ahmed Suale.

The remand of Daniel Owusu Koranteng, the first suspect in the murder of Ahmed Suale, marks a vital development in a case that has raised alarm over journalist safety in Ghana. His connection to the journalist prior to the murder and the ongoing investigation, which includes crucial evidence, may provide necessary clarity and hopefully lead to the identification of others implicated in Suale’s assassination. The proceedings will continue, as the court deliberates on the substantiality of the charges brought against Mr. Koranteng, which will influence the course of justice for Suale.

Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com