Residents of Wa are fervently calling for the immediate prosecution of suspects involved in the brutal murder of Alhaji Mutala. The victim met his untimely demise after the suspects broke into his home and slashed his throat on the night of April 11, 2024.
The incident has shocked the community, leading to widespread demands for justice and transparency in handling the case.
A large crowd gathered at the forecourt of the Wa Magistrate Court today, the 19th of August 2024, anticipating the arrival of the suspects. Many residents had arrived early, driven by the hope that the legal process would begin, and the suspects would be formally charged.
The atmosphere was tense, as people were eager to witness the initial steps toward securing justice for the late Alhaji Mutala.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the presiding judge abruptly exited the courtroom, got into his car, and drove away without providing any explanation.
This unexpected move left the crowd confused and agitated. As the reality of the situation set in, frustration among the residents began to mount.
The crowd, feeling abandoned by the justice system, redirected their focus toward the Upper West Regional Police Command, located just a few meters from the court. As they made their way to the police station, their numbers continued to swell.
The police, confronted by the overwhelming crowd, resorted to firing warning shots in an attempt to disperse the gathering. Despite arresting one of the agitators, the residents stood their ground, refusing to be deterred.
They were determined to make their voices heard, chanting the name of one of the suspects who is a resident of Wa, as a sign of their dissatisfaction with the handling of the case.
In a statement to the media, Kayum Hussein Tendana, the spokesperson for the deceased’s family, expressed the deep disappointment felt by the residents.
He explained that the family and other residents had expected the suspects to be brought to court and remanded. This expectation was based on the arrests made on August 17, 2024, which had given positive hopes for the legal process.
Mr. Kayum did not mince words in his criticism. He strongly believes that the suspects are responsible for not only Mutala’s murder but also a series of other killings that have plagued Wa.
He urged all families affected by these serial killings to take an active interest in the ongoing case as he emphasised the need for collective action to ensure that justice is served.
Moreover, Mr. Kayum called on the police to accelerate the trial process. He underscored the importance of swift legal proceedings, not just for his family but for the entire Wa community, which has been gripped by fear and anger since the spate of killings began.
