The memory of a bloody shooting on March 17, 2022, in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region by a 61-year-old business man, Abdul-Rahaman Yunusa, that claimed the life of a retired lecturer of Dr. Hilla Liman Technical University is one that many would not want to be remembered especially the deceased's family.
The late Stephen Langton Mane was going about with his daily routine activities when a stray bullet from the marauding shooting of Alhaji Yunusa, a business man and former Manager of Wa All Stars Premier League club (now Legion Cities) near the SSNIT flats in Wa tragically led to his death with four other passersby also sustaining injuries in the process.
The shooting incident was said to have emanated from a standoff in a land dispute between the culprit and some family members which ended up killing an innocent 64-year-old retired lecturer as well as four others who were also caught up in the shooting spree even though none of them had any connection in relation to the land dispute that led to the shooting.
The suspect after his arrest, was remanded but later granted bail during the trial.
Even though the wheel of justice, it is said grinds slowly, the over two-year trial has come to an end pending judgement of the case slated for November 27, 2024.
On the back of this, the family is therefore demanding justice for their beloved father and son whose shocking demise did not only cause a considerable void in the family, but left the family devastated with unbearable grief.
This was contained in a Press Release dated November 26, 2024, and signed by the family's spokesperson - Luke Dabuo.
While commending prosecutors at the Attorney General’s Department, the IGP and the Police Service, the investigators and the judiciary for their dedication to ensuring that this case ran its course to this stage, Luke Dabuo indicated that it has been a difficult challenging moment for the family members who have however taken solace in the commitment of all stakeholders to ensure the delivery of justice at the end of the trial.
According to the family, as the judgement of the case approaches on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the family is gripped with grief and shock particularly when the accused, who after having committed such an "unspeakable, despicable act on humanity" was left to go freely in the course of the trial while the family were left with the painful memories of their beloved father.
"First and foremost, we wish to express our gratitude to the prosecutors at the Attorney General’s Department, the IGP and the Police Service, the investigators and the judiciary for their dedication to ensuring that this case ran its course. Its been a long torturous and difficult period for the family but the commitment of all stakeholders to justice remained our source of hope.
"As we approach judgment day on Wednesday(27th November 2024), the family continues to grapple with unbearable grief and shock. The release of the accused on bail during the trial has been particularly challenging for us; the pain of seeing the one man responsible for this unspeakable, despicable act against humanity, come and go freely while we are left only with painful memories of our beloved father," the statement read in part.
The family added that despite the unbearable and emotional toll it had to go through over the unfortunate incident, the family has been able to restrain itself from taking the law into its own hands which it indicated affirms the family members commitment in the rule of law for a just resolution, calling on all members of the family and the general public to remain calm and allow the court to deliver its judgement.
"However, we have but one plea: justice must be served," it pleaded.
According to the spokesperson, even though the void created by the loss of the late Stephen Langton Mane is not one that can be filled, the family believes that getting a fair and just ruling will bring closure and healing to the family members.
Below is the full statement;
STATEMENT BY THE FAMILY OF THE LATE STEPHEN LANGTON MANE
Tuesday, 26th November 2024.
We, the family of the late Stephen Langton Mane, a cherished lecturer of Dr. Hilla Liman Technical University, Wa, come to you once again with heavy hearts as we await the judgment in the case of his tragic killing on 17th March, 2022.
First and foremost, we wish to express our gratitude to the prosecutors at the Attorney General’s Department, the IGP and the Police Service, the investigators and the judiciary for their dedication to ensuring that this case ran its course. It has been a long torturous and difficult period for the family but the commitment of all stakeholders to justice remained our source of hope.
As we approach judgment day on Wednesday(27th November 2024), the family continues to grapple with unbearable grief and shock. The release of the accused on bail during the trial has been particularly challenging for us; the pain of seeing the one man responsible for this unspeakable, despicable act against humanity, come and go freely while we are left only with painful memories of our beloved father.
We want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and a just resolution. Despite the unbearable emotional toll, we have resisted the urge to take matters into our own hands, placing our trust entirely in the justice system. We urge all family members and the public to remain calm and allow the court to deliver its judgment.
However, we have but one plea: justice must be served.
The tragic loss of our father has left a void that cannot be filled, but we believe that a fair and just ruling will bring some measure of closure and healing to our family.
We call on everyone to join us in praying for justice—not just for Stephen Langton Mane, but for all families who have endured similar tragedies.
Thank you.
Signed.
Family Spokesperson
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