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President John Mahama has tasked the Ghana Police Service to step up investigations into the gruesome murder of Joseph Boakye Danquah–Adu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region.

He made the appeal in his final State of The Nation Address yesterday on the floor of parliament, saying management of the Police Service needed to work hard to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of the late MP, who was killed at his Shiashie residence in Accra on February 9 this year.

President Mahama’s call comes a few days after Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don – the prime suspect in the MP’s death – had been dragged to the Accra Central District Magistrate Court over the murder.

In his initial statement to the police after his arrest at Agbobloshie in Accra, Sexy Don Don claimed that he was contracted to carry out the (‘contract’) killing for a fee of GH¢2,000.

But after the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) had taken over the case, the suspect reportedly changed the original statement he gave to the police, insisting he went to the MP’s house with the intention to steal and not to kill.

Speculations

There were speculations that presidential staffer, Stan Dogbe, also played a role in the gruesome killing of the Abuakwa North legislator. He however, sharply denied the claim, describing it as “false, malicious and wicked.”

President Mahama reiterated calls for thorough investigations into the case to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime face the law.

In the view of the president, justice for the murdered MP and his family was crucial, while appealing to members of the public to desist from making what he termed “wild” and “unsubstantiated” claims regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, the burial ceremony for the late MP has been scheduled for March 19, 2016.

Commendation

President Mahama commended the police for swiftly arresting the prime suspect in respect of the MP’s murder and also for their collaborative role in arresting the British-Ghanaian national, Arthur Simpson Kent, who allegedly murdered his wife and two children in the UK and fled to Ghana.

The two arrests, to President Mahama – who had a tough time with the legislators when delivering his address – were crucial in the fight against crimes.

MPs’ Security

Touching on the suggestion that there was the need for MPs to have state security protection, President Mahama gave the assurance that his government would strive to beef up security at parliament.

According to him, the provision of security to parliament was of utmost priority to his administration.

He further urged the leadership of the House to liaise with the national security agencies to ensure the protection of lawmakers so that they are not assassinated.