Issa Mobila trial: Court orders transfer of suspects

Listen to Mahama Shaibu's report on the court proceedings.

A Tamale High Court has adjourned the trial of three soldiers charged with murder of Alhaji Issah Mobila, then Chairman of the Northern Region branch of the Convention People's Party.

The order follows the absence in court today of the three suspects and their counsel.

Presiding Judge Lawrence Mensah has therefore directed the Commander of the 6th Infantry Battalion to transfer the three suspects to the Tamale Prison to facilitate hearing of the case which has been set for April 28, 29 or 30.

The date options according Joy Correspondent Mahama Shaibu, is to enable the defense counsel to choose which of the dates will be convenient.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Gertrude Aikins expressed dismay at the failure of the accused persons to turn up in court.

The three were provisionally charged with murder in 2006 when the Tamale High Court first heard the case, but were subsequently transferred to Accra.

Alhaji Issah Mobila in the wake of the 2004 General Elections was invited for questioning by the police for allegedly possessing illegal weapons.

He obliged but was subsequently handed over to the military, in whose custody he died.

A pathology report conducted by Dr. Kweku Adomako Boateng of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi revealed that Alhaji Mobila died of a collapse of his left lung, fractured ribs, severe multiple aberrations suspected to have been the result of severe beating.

Initial reports from the military had suggested the deceased died of stomach pains.