Court discharges former Ivorian minister

An ally of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, Justin Katinan who is currently held in Ghana for murder, was discharged on Wednesday by an Accra Magistrate Court .

This was after Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police had failed to provide the court with the relevant law which stipulates that when one commits an offence outside Ghana he or she could be tried within the country.


“My Lord I can’t provide any law to that effect. I am only a Police Officer", Prosecuting DSP Abraham Annor told the court.


The Court presided over by Mr. Ali Baba Bature had indicated to the prosecution that if they did not come up with good reason for remanding the accused, it would discharge him.


The court also noted that it had no jurisdiction in the matter.


At today’s sitting, DSP Annor prayed the court to grant the prosecution ample time to have “conference” with International Police (INTERPOL), Abidjan.

DSP Annor noted that after the said conference it would enable INTERPOL, Accra to have an informed decision as to whether or not to continue with the court process.


According to DSP Annor, INTERPOL Abidjan had sent some documents which they had analyzed and needed to verify them.


“We have the firm assurance that by the close of the week we would receive the information we are looking for. We therefore pray the court to grant us our request by granting us an adjournment and remand the accused person,” DSP Annor added.


Mr. Patrick Sorgbodzor, counsel for Katinan noted that the prosecution had failed to abide by the court order that it would discharge the accused person if Prosecution was unable to convince him as to why it should continue to remand the accused person.


At the Osu Court today, the matter was adjourned to November 7.

Katinan was earlier on put before the Osu District court following charges of robbery preferred against him but was granted a GHc50,000.00 bail.


However, on October 1, this year, he was brought before an Accra Magistrates’ court charged with conspiracy to murder and two counts of murder.


Katinan was said to have conspired with one Dalo Desire in Cote d’Ivoire to murder two men at Port Bouet in the Ivorian city of Abidjan.


According to the report, the first murder of a 33-year-old welder, Kamagate Seyobou, took place on March 19, 2011 while the second one, of Diabate Drissa, 37, a trader, also took place on March 29, 2011, both at Port Bouet.


Katinan’s plea was not taken.

Meanwhile the state had indicated that following instructions given, Katinan’s two cases would run parallel.


The state said on March 19, 2011, Katinan conspired with Desire to murder Seydou in Port Boute in Abidjan.


According to the state, Katinan and Desire on March 29, 2011 also attacked and murdered Drissa. A complainant, known as Kamgate Bakary, reported the incident to the Ivorian authorities.


On September 29, this year, Ivorian authorities issued a warrant in respect of Katinan and informed the Ghanaian authorities that he was in Ghana and demanded his arrest.