An Accra High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of 23-year-old Safina Mohammed, also known as Safina Diamond, a student at the University of Ghana. The warrant was issued on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, following her failure to appear in court for a hearing, along with her legal team.
Safina is facing charges of murder in connection with the death of Frank Osei, a Ghanaian resident in Canada. Osei was reportedly her boyfriend and had been visiting Ghana when the incident occurred. She pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier in the proceedings and has been on bail. The warrant for her arrest was issued by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo of the Court of Appeal, who presided over the hearing on Wednesday.
According to a post by GhOne TV, “Safina Mohammed, alias Safina Diamond, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of one Frank Osei, her Ghanaian boyfriend resident in Canada, is on bail. In court today, when the case was called, the accused and her lawyers were absent.”
Background of the Case
The case dates back to July 24, 2022, when Frank Osei, who was on vacation in Ghana, visited Safina at her residence near Ashaley Botwe School Junction in Accra. He decided to spend the night at her place, but tragedy struck that evening. Prosecutors allege that Safina, along with unidentified accomplices, fatally stabbed and strangled Osei during the night.
After the alleged murder, prosecutors claim that Safina and her accomplices attempted to conceal the crime by cleaning up the bloodstains. Osei’s body was reportedly left in the room for 24 hours before being dragged downstairs and placed at the gate near his parked Toyota Tundra.
Safina later contacted the police, claiming that her boyfriend had died in her room. However, when officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Osei’s body at the gate, leading to her arrest and the subsequent murder charges.
### Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Safina has been on bail throughout the trial, having previously entered a plea of not guilty. The absence of both the accused and her legal representatives from the latest court session prompted the issuance of the bench warrant. Authorities are now tasked with locating Safina to ensure her presence in court as the legal process unfolds.
The case has attracted significant public attention due to the nature of the allegations and the involvement of a young university student. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will continue once Safina is located and brought before the court.
Safina Mohammed’s legal team has yet to comment on the warrant or her whereabouts. The authorities are urging anyone with information on her location to come forward, as the court aims to resolve the matter promptly.