By Issah Olegor
In a dramatic turn of events that has reignited national conversations about the shortcomings of the criminal justice system, four men who had been on trial for the 2019 murder of Josephine Asante — a top executive of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) — were discharged by the TDC District Magistrate Court in Tema after prosecutors cited lack of evidence.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, July 22, 2025, by Benedicta Antwi, follows legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Department, which concluded that the case against the accused was built on weak grounds and could not be sustained in court.
The discharged suspects include Christian Adjei, the houseboy of the deceased, along with Richard Kwabena Kwakye, Dominic Owusu, and Frederick Owusu Oppong.
Their release brings to an anticlimactic pause a five-year-long legal process marked by delays, inconsistent investigative outcomes, and growing frustration among the victim’s family.
The 2019 Murder
Josephine Asante, then Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of GPHA, was found brutally murdered in her home at Emefs Estates, near Afienya, on the morning of January 13, 2019.
The killing occurred shortly after she returned from a company staff party, prompting public shock and calls for swift justice.
Initial investigations led to the arrest of her houseboy, Christian Adjei, who was accused of complicity.
However, over the years, multiple arrests and re-arrests clouded the case, with law enforcement agencies unable to present clear, corroborative evidence to nail any suspect.
The investigation became emblematic of Ghana’s struggle to effectively prosecute high-profile crimes — particularly those involving well-connected institutions or individuals.
Weak Case
The breakthrough — or rather, the breakdown — came in the form of a legal advisory issued by the Attorney-General’s Department. Principal State Attorney Joshua Sackey authored the memo recommending that all four suspects be discharged.
According to Chief Inspector Hilda Asante Sarkodie, the lead prosecutor, the Attorney-General’s review found the entire case to be based on suspicion rather than concrete forensic or testimonial evidence.
The advisory noted that none of the suspects could be directly linked to the crime scene through provable means, and the confessions or statements obtained lacked credibility.
The court, siding with the prosecution’s revised position, thus discharged the accused, citing the constitutional principle that no person should be prosecuted on mere suspicion.
Victim’s Family Reacts with Fury
Josephine Asante’s family, who have spent the last five years fighting for justice, expressed profound disappointment and outrage.
Speaking to Joy News outside the courtroom, her brother, Robert Tandoh, could barely mask his anger: “I’m shocked but not surprised. What exactly has the police been doing for five years? To say there’s no evidence now after dragging this for so long is a betrayal.”
Tandoh questioned why the Attorney-General’s office did not order further investigations instead of simply closing the chapter.
“This is not just about Josephine. It’s about whether ordinary citizens can trust the justice system in Ghana.”
He indicated that the family would consider taking legal steps to challenge the ruling, including filing a formal petition to the Attorney-General and demanding access to court records for an independent legal review.
Widower Challenges Evidence Suppression
The victim’s husband, Franklin Kwame Asante, was equally scathing.
He questioned why a video confession — allegedly from one of the suspects — was not admissible or factored into the final prosecutorial decision.
“There’s a video. He confessed. What do they mean there were no witnesses? Are we saying murderers must be caught with an audience before we can convict them?” he lamented.
Asante vowed to continue the fight for justice, stating that the family would not allow the case to disappear into bureaucratic silence.
“We’re heartbroken, but we are not giving up. We’ll pursue every avenue to make sure the truth comes out,” he declared.
