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Nana Barima Ababio, also known as BenLord Ababio, has once again been denied bail by the Accra High Court in connection with the fatal shooting of a military officer at Millennium City, near Kasoa, in the Central Region.
BenLord, a self-proclaimed traditional ruler, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder alongside Nana Kofi Amo Kwakye.
Additionally, he has been charged separately with the murder of Lance Corporal Michael Danso.
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At the bail hearing on February 11, 2025, BenLord’s legal counsel, Nii Korle, insisted that his client was innocent until proven guilty. He urged the court to uphold BenLord’s fundamental rights by granting him bail, emphasising that he was not a flight risk and would comply with all court directives.
“We are willing to accept any conditions the court imposes to ensure my client’s presence at trial. The accused person is ready to stand trial and will not abscond,” Nii Korle argued.
However, State Attorney Frederick Adu-Gyamfu presented strong opposition, listing three key reasons why bail should not be granted:
- The accused had a history of legal troubles and was already on bail for a separate offence at the time of the alleged murder.
- BenLord posed a potential danger to society due to his violent nature.
- The murder was committed in a public setting, specifically a police station, reinforcing the strength of the prosecution’s case.
After careful deliberation, Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie denied bail, citing the severity of the charges and public safety concerns. This marks the second time BenLord has been refused bail. He remains in custody, with the next court hearing scheduled for February 25, 2025.
The shooting took place on April 30, 2024, at approximately 4 p.m. Lance Corporal Michael Danso, accompanied by Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew, drove to the Millennium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 to report a land encroachment case.
The officers had received intelligence that individuals were illegally developing land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman. As they sought assistance at the police station, BenLord arrived and, in a shocking turn of events, opened fire on Lance Corporal Danso, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle, killing him instantly.
The brazen act was carried out in full view of law enforcement personnel at the station, prompting an immediate response. Officers swiftly disarmed and arrested BenLord. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of his alleged accomplice, Nana Kofi Amo Kwakye.
The case has drawn widespread attention, fuelling discussions about land disputes, vigilante justice, and law enforcement effectiveness in Ghana. Legal analysts have highlighted the significance of the repeated bail denials, viewing them as a strong stance against violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the family of Lance Corporal Danso continues to demand swift and uncompromised justice. The Ghana Armed Forces have also expressed concerns over the security of their personnel and called for thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
With BenLord remaining in custody, all eyes are now on the upcoming hearing on February 25, 2025, as the case unfolds in the High Court.
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