Police fired warning shots after an agitated mob stormed the premises of the Wa Magistrate Court to demand justice for a murder victim.
The victim, Alhaji Mutala Mahama, was discovered with his throat slit after a brutal attack at his residence in Wa on April 11, 2024.
Two suspects have since been arrested in connection with the murder.
This incident shocked the residents, who have since demanded justice and transparency in the ongoing case.
In the morning of Wednesday, August 21, a large crowd trooped to the court in anticipation that the two suspects would be formally charged with the crime.
The situation, however, took an unexpected turn when the judge abruptly exited the courtroom without an explanation and drove off without charging the suspects.
This sudden turn of events infuriated the expectant crowd, further increasing the tension that filled the air.
Feeling disappointed by the court, the agitated crowd began to move towards the Upper West Regional Police Command a few meters away from the court building.
Seeing the determined crowd march towards their station, the police fired several warning shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Despite the gunshots and the arrest of one suspect, the crowd refused to leave.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the deceased’s family, Kayum Hussein Tendana, strongly criticised the authorities for the way they handled the case.
He also alleged that the suspects were responsible for other killings in the Wa area.
He further urged all families affected by these serial killings to take an active interest in the case, while calling on the police to accelerate the legal process
