The Accra Psychiatric Hospital has requested more information on Daniel Asiedu, the suspected killer of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa-North, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu, to enable it to conduct a psychiatric examination.
In a letter dated May 23, 2019, and addressed to the Accra High Court, officials of the hospital said they would need further information from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police and from Asiedu’s mother and sister in order to get the psychiatric assessment complete.
On April 15, 2019, the court, presided over by Justice George Buadi, ordered a psychiatric examination on Asiedu to ascertain his mental fitness to stand trial.
The order followed an application by Asiedu’s lawyer, Mr Augustine Obour, who had argued that based on interactions with his client, he believed he was not mentally sound.
Per the court’s order, a psychiatric report was supposed to be presented to the court last Monday, but due to the request by the hospital, Justice Buadi ordered the case investigator to go to the hospital with the bill of indictment of the case and with the relatives of Asiedu by June 7, 2019.
Justice Buadi further ordered the hospital to ensure that the psychiatric report on Asiedu was ready by June 21, 2019.
“The medical officer who conducts the exams should also appear before the court on June 27, to tender the report and also explain its conclusions,” Justice Buadi said.
Hearing continues on June 27, 2019.
Mr Danquah-Adu was murdered in his residence at Shiashie near Accra on February 9, 2016.
Prosecutors have charged Asiedu and another suspect, Vincent Bosso, with conspiracy to commit robbery while Asiedu has been charged separately with murder and robbery.
