Six suspects, including an assembly member, have been apprehended by the Ahanta West Municipal Police Command in the Western Region for the horrific murder of a 60-year-old man.
The victim, Isaac Ansah, was burned alive at Achonwa last Thursday after being accused of providing names of 14 residents for rituals and sacrifice.
The suspects, including the Caretaker Chief of Achonwa, Nana Ojundi, and the assembly member, Godfred Cudjoe, are currently in custody to aid in the investigation. The police have also confirmed that the victim’s body has been taken to the Dr Mensah Mortuary at Apowa for an autopsy.
According to reports, the mob, which included the suspects, tied the victim, a farmer known as Joe Joe, to a tree at the Achonwa Palace before setting him on fire. The incident has left the victim’s family devastated, with one of his nephews, Frank Eshun, describing the gruesome act as inhumane.
Eshun recalled how members of the community escorted Ansah to the Palace of Nana Ojundi, where he was questioned about the list of names he allegedly submitted to a chief priest for sacrifices. Despite being fined GH¢10,000, the victim was unable to pay, leading to the fatal punishment.
In a heartbreaking plea for justice, Eshun stated, “The family members want the state to enforce the law so that culprits are dealt with in accordance with the law.” The family is seeking closure and peace for their loved one, as they mourn the tragic loss of their uncle.
This chilling incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for swift and decisive action against such heinous acts of vigilante justice. The family’s call for justice must be heeded, and those responsible for this barbaric act must be held accountable for their actions.
