2 remanded to prison custody by court
2 remanded to prison custody by courtTHE Kodie District Court has remanded two individuals to prison custody following their alleged involvement in a chilling murder rooted in deception, spiritual manipulation, and a failed gold ritual.
The accused, Prophetess Elizabeth Dankwa, 48, founder of the King Solomon Universal Temple at Anomangye-Mpatasie in Kumasi, and Mohamed Mubarak, 38, a trader and one-time parliamentary aspirant for the All People’s Congress (APC) in the 2024 elections, are to reappear in court on August 19, 2025.
The court, Presided over by Mrs Maddalene Thompson, issued the remand order based on the prosecution’s submission that advice from the Attorney General’s Department is still pending.
Presenting the facts, lead prosecutor, Chief Inspector Antwi Obeng, revealed that the case was initiated by the Kodie Police Command. The Prophetess, well-known to the deceased’s family, had allegedly claimed she possessed spiritual powers to unearth ancient gold.
In July 2024, she reportedly collected large sums of money from the deceased, 42-year-old Eric Obeng Darko, and his family under the guise of retrieving their ancestral wealth. During one visit to the family home at Petransa near Konongo, the Prophetess allegedly excavated twenty yellowish round objects, presenting them as ancient gold. These items were placed in Eric’s custody, with the promise of “spiritual purification.”
As part of the ongoing rituals, the Prophetess and Mubarak—said to be her close associate—frequently visited Eric’s residence at Banpenase near Fawoade. More “gold” was handed over to Eric, who was instructed to deliver it to the church for purification. But soon, the Prophetess began evading contact, prompting Eric to have the objects tested. The devastating result: they were fake. Feeling swindled and demanding a refund of GH¢20,000, Eric pressed the Prophetess for answers. The prosecution contends that instead of making restitution, the Prophetess and Mubarak conspired to abduct and silence him.
On April 6, 2025, Prophetess Dankwa allegedly invited Eric to her church for the final purification. She informed him that Mubarak would pick him up. Eric left his home with the supposed gold and the cash—never to return.
According to Chief Inspector Obeng, Mubarak and three accomplices—still at large—picked up Eric in a Honda Odyssey vehicle. At Aboabogya, Eric sensed danger and attempted to escape. He reportedly jumped from the vehicle and fled, only to be pursued and fatally run over by the same car.
Later that day, an unidentified body was discovered at Aduman near Aboabogya, bearing a broken leg and facial trauma. It was later confirmed to be Eric and transferred to St. Patrick Hospital for autopsy.
Police arrested Mubarak on June 8, 2025. He led investigators to his residence, where the vehicle involved was retrieved. Prophetess Dankwa was arrested 10 days later.
Though she denied any connection to Mubarak, investigators discovered call logs and WhatsApp audio exchanges contradicting her claims—strong evidence that Mubarak had long operated under her instructions.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
