Court Remands Suspect in Ahmed Suale Murder Case

The Madina Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of Daniel Owusu Koranteng, Managing Director of ISPY Company, in connection with the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.

Koranteng faces a provisional murder charge related to the unresolved killing, which has raised serious concerns about press freedom in Ghana.

Investigation and Arrest

Ahmed Hussein-Suale was shot near his family home in Madina on January 16, 2019. Armed men carried out the attack. As a member of Tiger Eye PI, he worked with the BBC on an investigative report exposing corruption in African football. This investigation likely made him a target.

His murder sparked global outrage, highlighting the risks faced by journalists in Ghana.

The FBI, in collaboration with Ghanaian authorities, led an extensive investigation before arresting Koranteng. Police sources revealed that phone records showed communication between him and Suale before the murder. Prosecutors also stated that Koranteng was near Suale’s home on the night of the attack.

Koranteng admitted to taking photos of Suale but denied selling them to politician Kennedy Agyapong. Agyapong had previously displayed Suale’s photos on national television, urging people to attack him.

The prosecution further claimed that Suale’s lawyer identified Koranteng as the one who sold the photos to Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament for Assin Central.

Court Proceedings and Next Steps

Koranteng’s lawyer, Kofi Essel, dismissed the charge as “shambolic.” He argued that the case lacked strong evidence and requested bail.

Magistrate Suzzy Nyakotey postponed the case to April 1 to allow further investigations. During the hearing, the court questioned whether selling photographs alone was enough to justify a murder charge.

Authorities believe Koranteng’s arrest could lead to further breakthroughs and justice for Ahmed Suale.