The Wa High Court has struck out a high-profile murder case involving Abdul Halim Yahaya and Isaac Dapilah Anaatakang, accused in the killing of Alhaji Murtala at Suriyiri, due to the prosecution’s failure to provide critical fingerprint evidence. Lawyer Saeed Abdul Shakur, popularly known as Lord Hammer, the Upper West Regional State Attorney, speaking to Upper West Media after the court session, announced that the two suspects will be re-arrested to allow the trial to resume once the necessary evidence is secured.
Lord Hammer revealed that while some evidence had been gathered, the prosecution required a second layer of forensic proof, specifically fingerprints, to ensure a solid case. Despite over a year of investigation, the police failed to deliver this evidence, leading to the case’s dismissal. The presiding judge had mandated that all cases be resolved within a four-week timeframe, a directive that forced the withdrawal of the case due to incomplete evidence.
The State Attorney expressed frustration over the delay, emphasizing that the re-arrest of Yahaya and Anaatakang is planned to restart the legal process once the police finalize the fingerprint analysis. The murder of Alhaji Murtala has deeply affected the Suriyiri community, and the case’s dismissal has sparked concerns about the efficiency of police investigations in the Upper West Region. Questions remain about why the fingerprint evidence was not processed in time to meet the court’s deadline, highlighting broader challenges in coordinating forensic evidence for high-stakes cases. Under Lord Hammer’s leadership, the prosecution is determined to strengthen its case, with the re-arrest signaling a renewed push for justice as the community awaits closure in this tragic case.
By: Adil Fuseini
