House of the deceased.(INSERT) The deceased being exhumed
Two persons, Obiri Yeboah, 49 and Anokye Frimpong, 24, have been busted in connection with the death of two African-American ladies in the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.
The two were arrested on Wednesday after the police had exhumed the mutilated bodies of the two women, which were buried in an unmarked shallow grave at Fihankra.
Meanwhile, the two suspects are in the custody of the Akosombo police helping with investigations.
The deceased, Mamelina Diop, 75 and Nzinga Janna, 69, were suspected to have been clubbed to death in their home and buried secretly about 300 metres away from their house by their attackers. They appeared to be living in an isolated area in the district.
Their mortal remains were buried together in a shallow grave which was located by one of three search groups organised by the Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, on Wednesday.
The deceased were identified by their nephew, Goloi Osakwe Dwamena Akpan, who reported their absence to the police on Tuesday.
The African-Americans, who had lived in Fihankra, a suburb of Apiakrom in the district, and had been staying there for the past two decades, were reportedly involved in protracted quarrels over their ceremonial tittles as chiefs and owners of the land.
It was not clear whether the land under litigation was a gift from the chief of Apiakrom, Nana Apiante, to the two leaders or to the entire African-Americans in the area.
An attempt to talk to the Akwamuhene proved futile as, according to one of his sub-chiefs, Odeneho was not in the position to talk.
The chief of Apiakrom also declined to comment. He urged the media to restrict themselves to information from the police.
The Chieftaincy Minister, Dr Seidu Danaa, has reportedly accused the two women of projecting themselves as chiefs and this resulted in the two bringing a suit against the minister somewhere last year, involving other parties, until this year when the Attorney General (AG) advised for an amicable settlement.
Later, sources say, the duo had their dogs poisoned by unknown persons, heightening their fears.
Families of the two had been worried over their disappearances after all calls to their phones went unanswered. Relatives reportedly broke into their rooms and realised that they were not at home but saw blood stains, raising fear that the two might have been harmed or kidnapped.
A complaint was lodged with the police at Akosombo, who then started a search on Wednesday morning in conjunction with a search team instituted by the Omanhene of the area.
The Eastern Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edward Faakye Kumi, told DAILY GUIDE that one of the search teams found an unmarked grave with leaves spread on it and drew the attention of the police to it.
When the grave was dug the two aged women were found in it with bruises on their heads, necks and hands.
The bodies have since been conveyed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital awaiting autopsy.
US Embassy
The United States Embassy in Accra has confirmed the killing of the two African-Americans. ‘The US Embassy in Ghana reports with deepest sympathy that two US citizens have been killed in the Eastern Region of Ghana. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
‘The US Embassy in Ghana is in contact with family members and is providing appropriate consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time,’ a statement issued yesterday by the Embassy posited.
By Rocklyn Antonio
This article has 0 comment, leave your comment.