Produce 2 murder suspects …court orders police
The Accra Circuit Court has ordered the police to produce two suspects in court, over alleged killing of a trader, Madam Alice Debrah.
The suspects, Azumah Agbeko, 32, fetish priest, and Bless Fia-Kwofie Kwablatsey, 59, alias Efo, a driver, who were absent from court, originally appeared before court for the alleged kidnap of the 47-year-old trader.
However, the prosecution informed the court, presided over by Mr Oheneba Kuffour, that it wanted to withdraw the case.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye explained that Agbeko and Kwablatsey were likely to be charged with conspiracy and murder in place of the initial conspiracy and kidnapping charges.
The prosecution said it has been found out that accused murdered the woman after kidnapping her.
DSP Nyamekye said that the police discovered where the late Madam Debrah was buried by Agbeko and Kwablatsey, and that the body has been exhumed.
At the last adjourned date, the court remanded accused, following the request of prosecution, as evidence was leading to murder.
The prosecution confirmed the murder of Madam Debrah to the court, but did not produce the accused. Instead, the police showed pictures of the exhumation of the body of Madam Debrah to the court.
DSP Nyamekye had earlier informed the court that the complainant in the case, Mr Emmanuel Adamtey, a sales assistant at Melcom, lived with Madam Debrah in Kuwait, a suburb of Kasoa in the Central Region.
The court heard that Agbeko resided at Lente Whuti, near Aflao, in the Volta Region, whilst Kwablatsey was a resident of Kuwait, Kasoa, in the Central Region, and a neighbour to the deceased.
DSP Nyamekye said Madam Debrah informed Hannah Ohene, a witness in the case that she would travel to the Volta region.
According prosecution, Madam Debrah left home on May 26, 2023, and did not return.
Investigations revealed that Madam Debrah, who sold second-hand clothing, had a discussion with Kwablatsey on how her business could improve.
DSP Nyamekye said that Kwablatsey introduced the deceased to Agbeko to help her with spiritual charms to attract more customers.
The court heard that Madam Debrah transferred GH¢1,500 to Agbeko’s mobile money account, and about a week later, Agbeko called her and arranged for them to meet.
DSP Nyamekye said Madam Debrah arrived at Tokor in the Volta Region and met Agbeko, and she was not seen or heard from since then.
The prosecution said the police arrested Agbeko, who mentioned Kwablatsey as his accomplice, but denied meeting the deceased.
DSP Nyamekye said Kwablatsey admitted that he and the deceased met Agbeko, and she subsequently sent money to the fetish priest, but Agbeko denied ever seeing the deceased physically.
The Court heard that call logs of Madama Debrah indicated communications between her and the fetish priest, as well as the mobile money transaction of GH¢1,500 she sent to him. – GNA