Seven military officers, including several senior officers and a driver, have been remanded by the Suame District Court in connection with the alleged assault of civilians that resulted in the deaths of two victims. The officers face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The eight accused individuals include Lieutenant Selim Nikoi Neequaye, Lieutenant Emmanuel Abrokwa, Lieutenant Daniel Osae, Sergeant Kumi Edmond, Lance Corporal Ameyaw Desmond, Private Ampah Felix, Private Gyekye, and Thomas Adjei Mensah, a civilian employee at the 4Bn.
The officers are reported to have assaulted three men who were arrested on March 28 and taken to the 4th Infantry Battalion barracks. The bodies of two of these victims were subsequently found at Danyame, a suburb of Kumasi. The victims are Kwame Adu, also known as Ogee, Kwabena Sarfo, and Christian Obiri Yeboah, popularly called Kofi Yesu.
The prosecution says they were rounded up by uniformed military officers over accusations of stealing a mobile phone belonging to another civilian, after which they were taken to the 4BN barracks and beaten before being dumped at Danyame. According to the police prosecutor, Detective Inspector Justice Ativor, the police, “through collaboration with the Military Command, arrested the suspects.”
In their caution statements, the accused admitted to apprehending the victims for interrogation but denied physically assaulting them. The sole surviving victim, Christian Obiri Yeboah, recounted that they were allegedly assaulted after being taken to the military barracks. During the proceedings, the police prosecutors requested that the accused be remanded into prison custody to allow for further investigations. However, defense lawyers opposed this request, urging the court to instead place their clients in the custody of the Military Police.
In an earlier press release issued on April 2, 2025, the Military High Command confirmed that the civilians sustained various degrees of injuries and assured the public of a thorough investigation into the incident. Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, Brig Gen E. Aggrey-Quashie, assured that any personnel found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the law. After hearing both sides, the presiding judge ordered that the accused be held in Military Police custody. Family members of the deceased, who were present in court, continue to demand justice. The officers are to remain in custody until the case is recalled on April 22, 2025.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
