A District Courtin Accra has, for the second time in two weeks, refused anapplication for the suspected killer of JB Danquah-Adu to be examined for psychiatric illness.
The Court, presided over by Mr. Stephen Owusu said the demeanor of the accused did not depict someone who is mentally challenged.
Daniel Asiedu, 19, was arrested by the police on February 11, two days after the murder of the late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye-Adu. He confessed to stabbing the MP to death.
Lawyer for the accused, Augustine Obuor had requested that his client be allowed to see a psychiatrist on his first appearance in court on March 2, but the request was denied.
Augustine Obuor also requested that his client be transferred from the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) cells to police custody as indicated on the remand warrant but that was also denied. He said his client was being mishandled at the BNI cells.
But today, the accused contradicted this by telling the court that there had been a slight change in how he is being treated after his last appearance in court.
“I am now allowed to use the washroom on the officers’ timing,” he said.
The lawyer said his client’s family has been denied access to him since his arrest.
Joy News’ Raymond Acquah reports that the lawyer prayed the court to change his client’s remand warrant from police custody to prisons custody so he could be moved to the Nsawam Medium Prisons.
The prosecutor opposed the request for change in the place of custody saying keeping the suspect in the BNI cells makes the work of the police more effective.
The court insisted that the suspect remains in the BNI cells but stated that he should not be mishandled.
Meanwhile, the lawyer, Augustine Obuor said he is convinced the court will review its decision to allow the suspect go for psychiatric examination soon.
Daniel Asiedu has been remanded into BNI cells to reappear on April 5, 2016.
By: www.dailyviewgh.com
