Seven military officers, including some senior officers and a driver, have been remanded into custody over the deaths of two civilians in Kumasi. The soldiers face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder following an alleged assault on the victims.
The officers, including LT. Selim Nikoi Neequaye, LT. Emmanuel Abrokwa, LT. Daniel Osae, Sergeant Kumi Edmond, Lance Corporal Ameyaw Desmond, Private Ampah Felix, Private Gyekye, and Thomas Adjei Mensah, a civilian worker at the 4th Infantry Battalion (4BN), reportedly detained three men on March 28, accusing them of stealing a mobile phone. The men were taken to the 4BN barracks, where two of them, Kwame Adu (known as Ogee) and Kwabena Sarfo, were found dead later in Danyame, Kumasi.
The third victim, Christian Obiri Yeboah (known as Kofi Yesu), survived and said they were beaten by the soldiers at the barracks. The police, working with the military command, arrested the suspects after the incident was reported. The accused officers admitted to detaining the victims but denied assaulting them.
The surviving victim’s testimony has sparked a call for justice from the families of the deceased, who were in court for the proceedings. The police prosecutor requested that the soldiers be held in prison custody for further investigation, but defense lawyers disagreed, suggesting they be remanded in Military Police custody.
The case has gained attention after the Military High Command confirmed the incident and promised a full investigation. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie assured the public that any officers found guilty would face the law. The accused soldiers will remain in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for April 22, 2025.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the military, especially in matters involving civilian lives. [Myjoyonline]