A murder trial at the Accra High Court was briefly disrupted after a jury requested that an accused person remove her nose mask while in the dock. The jury stated that Safina Adizatu Mohammed could see the faces of the other jury members, but they could not see her face because of the nose mask, raising concerns about fairness in the proceedings.
Nana Ama Adinkrah, a Senior State Attorney, supported the jury's concerns as reasonable during Monday's proceedings. Safina's counsel explained that she wore the nose mask due to illness. The trial judge subsequently directed Safina to remove the nose mask whenever she entered the dock and put it on again afterwards, ensuring transparency during her appearances.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges within Ghana's judicial system, particularly regarding courtroom protocols and the balance between health concerns and fair trial principles. The use of face masks became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to new considerations in legal settings where facial expressions can be crucial for assessment. This specific case underscores the need for clear guidelines on mask usage in courtrooms, especially in high-stakes trials like murder cases.
Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkrah told the court that the prosecution would call nine witnesses, including Safina’s former lover and expert witnesses, to support its case. She emphasized that the prosecution's duty was to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, focusing on establishing the five elements of murder: that Frank Kofi Osei died, that his death was caused by unlawful harm, that the unlawful harm was caused by Safina, and that the act was intentional.
The trial's outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the jury's interpretation, with implications for how similar procedural issues are handled in future cases. The court has adjourned the case to October 19, 2026, allowing both sides to prepare for the continuation of the trial. Legal experts will be watching to see how the court navigates these procedural nuances while upholding justice.
The prosecution detailed that Osei, a 37-year-old Ghanaian resident in Canada, and Safina, a first-year Biological Science student at the University of Ghana, Legon, were in an amorous relationship. On July 26, 2022, Safina reported a misunderstanding at her Ashaley Botwe apartment, which resulted in Osei's death. Police found Osei's naked body with multiple stab wounds near his unregistered white Toyota Tundra pickup.
Investigations revealed blood stains in Safina's apartment, suggesting Osei had been dragged. Safina was later arrested at Obinim Junction, Ashaley Botwe. During interrogation, she initially admitted to stabbing Osei but later changed her statement. Police recovered the alleged murder weapon from her apartment. The prosecution also alleged that Safina contacted another boyfriend, Michael Fiifi Ampofo Arku, who assisted her in moving Osei's body and disposing of items, including five large chains commonly used for 'kinky sex' and blood-stained personal effects.
Arku was later arrested and provided an alibi, which police investigations corroborated, confirming he was not in Accra at the time of the incident. An autopsy at the Police Hospital confirmed Osei's death was due to haemorrhagic shock, severe neck injury, and stabbing. The defense counsel urged the jury to find Safina not guilty, asserting her innocence based on the evidence to be presented.