Some of the 14 persons accused of murdering Army Major, Maxwell Adam Mahama, are in a frantic search for lawyers to enable them to put up their defense.

An Accra High court on Thursday commenced hearing on the matter after a Circuit Court committed them to trial after 13 of the 14 individuals were identified in a video recording.

The recording forms part of the 53 pieces of evidence presented to the court.

The accused persons are William Baah, the Assemblyman of Denkyira Obuasi, Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy, Kofi Nyarko aka Abortion, Akwasi Baah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi, Micheal Anim and Bismarck Donkor.

Others are John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima

Read: Major Mahama murder: High Court takes over case of indicted 14 suspects

However, Joy News correspondent, Joseph Ackah Blay reports that, private legal practitioner, George  Bernard Shaw, who has over the past nine months represented all 14 accused persons informed the court of his inability to continue with the task of defending all of them.

According to Mr. Shaw, the defense to be put up by each differs significantly.

He will, however, be representing five of them with Lawyer Augustine Gyamfi representing two, leaving seven persons without legal representation. 

Trial Judge, Justice Mariama Owusu urged the two defense lawyers to assist the seven persons to secure the services of lawyers.

Chief State Attorney Evelyn Keelson has meanwhile served notice of the State's preparedness to open its case on March 5, 2018.

Background

Then Capt Maxwell Mahama of the 5 Battalion of Infantry was lynched while he was on his early morning jogging Monday, May 29, 2017.

In a video shot of the incident and circulated on social media, the officer was seen surrendering his weapon before the mob carried out their dastardly act. The mob later claimed they mistook him for an armed robber because he carried a weapon.

The fallen officer, whom many have described as decent and gentle, died on Monday, May 29, after he was beaten, stoned and burnt by residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region.

Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major on June 5, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Parliament in November 2017, approved a bill that will make the spouse and children of Major Maxwell Mahama the state’s responsibility. The bill was in fulfillment of the President's promise to the family of Major Mahama.

Video: Burial of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama at Osu Military Cemetary, Accra.