The decision to revoke the warrant came after the accused, Safina Mohammed, also known as Safina Diamond, appeared in court just hours after the order was issued to justify her earlier absence.

She has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her Ghanaian boyfriend, Frank Osei, who was residing in Canada, and is currently on bail.

On Wednesday, October 23, Safina was absent when the case was called, prompting Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as a High Court judge, to issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

“We were to have dates with the jury and the lawyers today for the trial to commence,” Justice Marfo stated. “Accidentally, the accused person and her lawyers are absent without any reasonable cause. A bench warrant is hereby issued for her arrest.”

However, her lawyers quickly informed the court and brought her before the judge. Samuel Alesu-Dzordzi, her counsel, explained, “Our earlier absence before the honourable court was due to a calendar mishap and not out of disrespect.

“Upon short notice, the accused has attended court, demonstrating her intent to participate in the proceedings.”

Counsel requested the discharge of the earlier order for her arrest.

Justice Marfo acknowledged that the accused had consistently attended court. “This case has been recalled at the request of counsel for the accused, who realized the case had been called earlier,” she said.

“He informed the court they thought the date was tomorrow, October 24, 2024, instead. He promised to contact his client to be present today, and true to his word, she has come to court.”

The judge further noted, “Moreover, she has been very consistent with her court attendance. Therefore, I will rescind the order for her arrest and restore her to her previous bail conditions.”

The jury has been discharged “due to circumstances beyond” the court’s “control” and the fact that “this trial cannot commence as anticipated.”

The prosecution was led by Senior State Attorney Nama Ama Adinkra, assisted by Assistant State Attorney Yaw Acquah. Pearl Elikplim Addo provided a watching brief for the victim’s family.

The case has been adjourned to November 13, 2024.

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The Adentan District Court 1, presided over by Her Worship, Nancy Adade, committed Nafisatu to the Accra High Court to open her murder trial on September 18, 2023.

Presenting the facts of the committal charges, the prosecution attorney, Nana Amma Adinkrah, and her team presented all the exhibits and evidence for the court to use and begin the trial.

A nephew of the deceased, Bismark Sakyi, told the media after the court sitting that he was happy about the trial process so far.

Nafisatu, 23, is alleged to have been assisted by a technical officer, Michael Fiifi Ampofo, in the commission of the crime on July 25, 2023, at Ashaley Botwe School Junction.

The deceased was reportedly in the country on vacation and decided to spend the night at Nafisatu’s residence when the incident happened.

The Prosecutor said the deceased was left in the room for 24 hours.

He again said, the Accused dragged the deceased from the first floor of a-storey building downstairs and dumped him by the gate.

The suspect, according to the Prosecutor, called a police officer on Tuesday, July 26, to report that her boyfriend had died in her room upon visiting.

The officer and the police patrol team, upon arrival at the scene, found the body of the deceased by the gate, while the girlfriend was nowhere to be found.

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