KOD shooting case: Trial of Haleem Banda begins

The trial of Haleem Banda, son of Alhaji Asuma Banda has begun. Banda is being held on two counts of threat of death, possessing firearm and ammunition without lawful authority and possessing pump action gun with an expired license.

Haleem pleaded not guilty. The Court, presided over by Mr Justice B.T. Aryeetey, an Appeal Court judge, remanded him to reappear on July 9.

Answering questions under cross-examination by Mr Agbesi Dzakpasu, counsel for Haleem, Mr Okyere-Darko, a radio presenter, maintained that Haleem fired three shots at the Cinderella Night Club at Cantonments in Accra at the dawn on June 10, 2007.

The witness denied that his evidence was an afterthought and refuted counsel’s assertion that Haleem never issued any threats to him.

According to him, what he told Joy FM, a private radio station, was not different from what he told the court.

Led in evidence by Mrs Stella Badu, Senior State Attorney, Mr Okyere-Darko said on that fateful day, he was in the company of his friend, Mr Emmanuel Kiki Banson, a businessman, at the night club.

According to the witness, Mr Banson, who is the second complainant, did not provoke Haleem to warrant the insults and threats.

Witness said Haleem’s conduct lasted between 15 to 20 minutes and that compelled many customers to leave the night club.