High Court fines juror GH¢600 for absence in murder trial

An Accra High Court has fined a juror 50 penalty units (GH¢600) for failing to attend court without prior notice in an ongoing murder trial.

The sanction was imposed by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons during proceedings in the case involving Victor Nana Kankam, a landlord accused of killing his tenant.

The court noted that the juror had been duly informed of the sitting a day earlier but did not communicate any inability to attend.

When the case was called, the prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Sefakor Batse, was ready to present its final witness, who was already in court. However, the absence of one juror disrupted proceedings.

Expressing displeasure, the judge described the situation as both “unfortunate and annoying,” particularly given that the juror had reportedly travelled and returned to Accra without notifying the court.

Justice Simmons ruled that the juror must pay the fine within one week, failing which further legal consequences under the Criminal Offences Act (Act 30) would apply.

The court also directed the Registrar to formally notify the juror’s employer through the Chief Director of the Ministry of Information and ensure his presence at the next hearing.

The case centres on Victor Stephen Nana Kankam, also known as Nii Kojo Obo-Schroeder, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.

He is accused of fatally shooting his tenant, Benjamin Okyere, at Ofankor on May 25, 2020.

The trial is currently underway before a seven-member jury panel, with the State expected to call nine witnesses.