Accra, July 17, GNA – An Accra High Court has adjourned the murder trial of Safina Mohammed Adizatu to July 27, 2026, for the opening addresses of the prosecution and defence.
The adjournment followed the replacement of an absent juror after the seven-member jury was duly constituted and sworn in.
The court took the decision after an absentee juror failed to report when the case was called, compelling it to confer with the parties before replacing the juror and proceeding with the swearing-in of the panel.
The court directed the jurors not to be influenced by information outside the courtroom, particularly on social media, and advised them to remain discreet about the evidence to be presented during the trial.
It also cautioned that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on any juror who failed to appear before the court.
The court is expected to hear the opening addresses of the prosecution and defence on July 27 before holding a case management conference.
The prosecution is also expected to call its first witness in the case
Safina, a student, is standing trial on a charge of murder over the death of her Canadian boyfriend, Frank Kofi Osei, at Ashaley Botwe School Junction in July 2022.
She has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is on bail.
According to the prosecution, Osei, a Ghanaian resident in Canada, visited Safina at her residence at Ashaley Botwe School Junction on July 24, 2022, and spent the night there.
It alleged that Safina and her accomplices stabbed and strangled Osei before cleaning the scene, leaving the body in the room for about 24 hours and later dragging it to the gate near his vehicle.
The prosecution further alleged that Safina subsequently informed the police that her boyfriend had died in her room.
Upon arrival, the police found Osei’s body outside the house and arrested her.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Joyce Danso