Three more arrested in Sogakope murder

The Kasoa Police in the Central Region have arrested three more suspects in connection with the murder of the Assemblyman for the Sogakope South Electoral Area, Mr Mawutor Adzahli, on March 1, 2020.

Suspects Bright Awuya, Franklin Tetteh and Ansong Stephen, who are believed to be involved in the murder of the assemblyman, were arrested last Sunday from their hideout at Obom, a suburb of Kasoa following a tip-off.

Seven suspects

Their arrest brings the number of suspects so far arrested in connection with the killing to seven. The first four suspects were arrested in the Volta Region.

According to the police, following a tip-off on March 15, 2020, a police patrol team from the Kasoa Divisional Operations Unit arrested and brought to the station the three suspects.

The suspects have, however, been handed over to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit at the Headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

Meanwhile, the Sogakope Police Command has been informed accordingly while the suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations.

Background

A fortnight ago, about eight armed men laid siege at dawn and broke into the residence of Mr Mawutor Adzahli, attacked and gruesomely murdered him after taking money and other valuables from him.

According to reports, the criminals used cement blocks to break his bulletproof and burglar-proof doors, entered his home and shot him several times, thus killing him instantly and dismembering his body in a gory fashion.

Mawutor was shot multiple times in what some believe to be contract killing, an incident that sparked violent protests in the town two weeks ago. His wife, who was assaulted by the unknown assailants, was said to have collapsed later and admitted to hospital.

Gunshots

All his neighbours were awoken by the loud gunshots that emanated from his residence but were so scared that none of them was able to do anything. One of the assailants was reported to be wearing a mask while the rest were bare-faced, but no one got close enough to identify them.

The attackers were said to have refused to accept a GH¢30,000 offer from the victim’s wife in a plea to save his life, insisting that money was not the reason for the attack. However, they subsequently snatched the money after they had shot, stabbed and killed Mawuli.

The main highway linking the Greater Accra Region to parts of the Volta Region through Sogakope, as well as other major roads were blocked by some angry protestors who were demanding justice for the assembly member.

Residents incensed

They claimed the police could have averted the incident if they were a little proactive.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings announced a GH¢25,000 reward for anyone who would offer information leading to the arrest of the killers of the assemblyman. The Volta Regional Minister also announced a GH¢10,000 bounty on the killers.

The police initially arrested four persons on suspicion of their involvement in the killing of the assemblyman. They are currently assisting in police investigations and will duly be arraigned soon after investigations.

The police assured members of the public, especially residents of Sogakope and its environs, that they were working assiduously in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to arrest anyone involved in the killing of the assemblyman. They also called on the public for support.