Lawyer For 5 Convicted NPP Youth...Ruling Is "Politically Motivated" And "Travesty Of Justice"

Lawyer Obiri Boahene, Lead Counsel for the five convicted New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth, who were sentenced (one to die by hanging and four others to spend 36 years each in prison) by a Tamale High Court, has indicated his resolve to appeal against the decision of the seven member jury. A Tamale High Court, presided over by His Lordship Justice L L Mensah, on Tuesday sentenced Yahuza Yakubu to death by hanging. The court also sentenced four others; Abibu Dagbana, Majeed Alhassan, Alhassan Sayibu and Imoro Gundaana to 36 years imprisonment each. The decision was taken by a seven-member jury which decided and charged the accused persons for conspiracy to murder. Yahuza Yakubu was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder. On February 17, 2009, supporters of the two largest parties in the country clashed in front of the old butchers� house at the Tamale Central Market, after rising tensions boiled over. The accused persons and others at large were allegedly involved in the sporadic shootings on that fateful day, which led to the death of one Abdul Rashid Mohammed, an alleged NDC activist while several others sustained serious gunshot wounds. According to reports, in the course of the clash, 27 houses were burnt, vehicles, motorbikes and other valuables belonging to NPP members in Gumbihini, Choggu and other surrounding communities in the Tamale metropolis were also destroyed. The five were subsequently arrested and arraigned before court. The trial has spanned almost five years before ruling was made today. Speaking to Peacefmonline in an exclusive interview moments after the court's decision, Lawyer Obiri Boahene described the ruling as a travesty of justice and politically motivated. He also pointed out that the evidence adduced in court by the prosecutors was in sharp contrast to the ruling. ��Some (victims) said they were shot but no medical doctor testified during the trial�no medical record was presented in court to buttress claims or assertions by alleged victims of the incident�� Obiri Boahene said.