An Accra High Court Judge said the number of jurors to be empanelled in the murder case involving Ben Lord Ababio, a self-proclaimed traditional ruler and another was not “encouraging.”

The court presided over by Justice Mrs Kizita Naa Koowah Quarshie, has therefore ordered the Registrar of the court to reassemble the jurors.

This would enable the court to empanel them for trial to commence.

When the matter was called Tuesday, only nine potential jurors were present. Accused persons were to select the jurors of their choice, so they could be empanelled. The accused have the right to reject some of the jurors.

The court has adjourned the trial to December 18, 2024.

Ben Lord Ababio aka Nana Barima and Nana Kofi Amo Gyekye aka Nana Fiifi, are standing trial for their involvement in the land dispute that allegedly led to the death of one Lance Corporal Michael Danso of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Accomplices of the accused, one Oteng and Salisu are said to be at large.

Ababio and Gyekye have been charged with conspiracy, while Ababio is facing an additional charge of murder.

Ababio has been remanded into lawful custody while Gyekye is on GHC One million bail with two sureties to be justified. He would also deposit his passport at the court’s registry.

On April 30, 2024, at around 1600 hours, Lance Corporal Michael Danso and two other colleagues- Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Mattew- drove to the Millenium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV 4 vehicle to report a trespass.

This was after they were informed that some encroachers were developing a parcel of land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.

Ababio appeared at the Police station and opened fire on Lance Corporal Danso who was driving the vehicle killing him instantly.

Ababio was disarmed by the Police and arrested for investigations.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Gyekye.