The appeal hearing for dancehall veteran Ninja Man and his two co-convicts has been postponed once again, following unresolved issues surrounding legal representation. The matter, which was scheduled to begin this week with oral arguments, has now been pushed to the week of March 23 next year.
Court officials confirmed that the delay stems from complications involving co-convict Dennis Clayton, whose attorney fell ill prior to the hearing. Although a new lawyer was retained, the appointment came only days before the appeal was expected to begin, leaving too little time for the attorney to adequately review the extensive case files.
The Court of Appeal noted that the volume of documents covering more than a decade of proceedings requires sufficient preparation to ensure a fair and comprehensive hearing for all parties. The judges agreed that proceeding without a full review would place the newly appointed lawyer at a significant disadvantage.
Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 alongside his son and co-accused Dennis Clayton for the 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson in Lower Mall Road, St Andrew. The men were also convicted of shooting with intent. Prosecutors argued during the trial that the fatal incident stemmed from a domestic dispute, presenting eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence that linked the three to the shooting.
The case has experienced multiple postponements over the years, with a combination of procedural issues, changes in legal representation, and scheduling complications slowing progress toward a final appellate ruling. The latest delay means the parties will now wait several more months before the court revisits the 2017 conviction.
Though the hearing has been delayed, Ninjaman remains one of dancehall’s most influential and controversial voices, shaped by a catalogue of hits and a reputation built on powerful performances and lyrical prowess. Ninjaman first broke through in the late 1980s with a self-produced single titled Protection (a duet with Courtney Melody), which helped establish him as a rising voice in the Jamaican music scene. Over the years, he became synonymous with the “badman era” of dancehall due to street-savvy, hard-hitting tracks like Murder Dem, Permit to Bury, Border Clash, and My Weapon. These songs helped solidify his image as a fearsome deejay, capable of commanding sound-clash stages with razor-sharp delivery and theatrical presence.
For now, the entertainer and his co-convicts remain in custody as attorneys prepare for what is expected to be a detailed and somewhat closely watched appeal next March.
