Two individuals, Bismark Donkor and Bismark Abanga, acquitted and discharged by an Accra High Court in the Captain Mahama murder case, have shared their harrowing experiences since their release from prison.
Both were among 14 individuals arrested seven years ago after the brutal killing of the military officer in Denkyira Obuasi, Central Region.
Mr Donkor revealed that armed soldiers subjected him to severe beatings when they arrested him in his bedroom. Despite being innocent, he endured mistreatment during his arrest. Abanga, an electrician, was arrested at home in 2017 and was shocked to be accused of Captain Mahama’s murder.
Mr Donkor, a cocoa farmer, explained that on the day of the murder, he heard noise in town but stayed home as advised by his wife.
Mr Abanga, hearing unusual noise, was informed by his apprentice about an armed robber being lynched. He returned home after seeing the gruesome scene. Both maintained their innocence throughout the trial, losing their livelihoods during seven years on remand.
Mr Abanga lost his repair shop and cocoa farm, while Donkor had to sell his cocoa farm for defense funds.
The tragic lynching incident led to over fifty suspects’ apprehension, with fourteen facing trial. The jury’s guilty verdict against 12 individuals resulted in life imprisonment, while Mr Abanga and Mr Donkor were acquitted and discharged on January 29, 2024.