Televising Captain Mahama killers' trial will serve as deterrent – Mac Manu

A Former National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has added his voice to the call to a public trial of Capt. Maxwell Adam Mahama's killers.

To Peter Mac Manu, the wanton disregard for life is abominable and Capt. Mahama’s case must be used as an example.

“ I heard some people calling for a public trial of the alleged killers and I think I agree with them. Why would anyone want to take another person’s life in that manner. Some are very quick to judge and to instill discipline and rule of law, some of these measures would need to be employed,” he said on UTV’s ‘Mpu Ne Mpu’ on 'Adekye Nsroma'.

These comments come on the back of a horrific killing of a Commissioned Officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, Cpt. Maxwell Adam Mahama at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region.

The reason for his lynching is still being investigated by the police, but widely circulated images and videos of the killings has ignited a national debate of extrajudicial murders.

A school of thought is of the view that a public hearing of the alleged killers will help correct the impression that perceived wrong doers of our society, like armed robbers, deserve instant justice and Peter Mac Manu sides with them.

Deputy Information Minister's call

A deputy Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on Thursday called for the trial of the suspected murderers of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama to be broadcast live on TV.

Speaking to Citi News, the Deputy Minister noted that, if the trial is televised “a message will be sent to everybody, not just this one, but of other crimes that are widely publicized. The message will be sent to everybody that these actions have consequences.”

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Ofoase Ayeribi Constituency in the Eastern Region, said the move will seriously serve as a deterrent for others who indulge in what has become known as mob justice.

“This is my personal advocacy, that if possible, even this trial and possible conviction should be televised live on national television because this gruesome murder has literally been televised on social media, everybody has seen it. It will be important as part of the corrective measures to let everybody see the consequences of this act.”