Eric Ato Appiah Mends, a 45-year-old acting Gyaasehen of the Nkusukum Amansie of Mankessim in the Central Region with the stool name, Nana Badu I has been remanded into two weeks police custody by the Cape Coast District Court 1 for the murder of 52-year-old, Kwesi Mekyew.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 25, 2024 during preparations for the Nkusukum Odambea Festival, in a ritual procession to slaughter a cow at Old Nkusukum, a suburb of Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality.
The suspect in an altercation during the procession which witnessed an interruption by some individuals of the Nkusukum Obaatan Division, saw the Gyaasehen pull out a gun and shot the deceased in the head.
The said chief following the occurrence, reported himself to the Mankessim Divisional Police Command and was arraigned before the Cape Coast District Court 1, presided over by Her Worship Anita Sheila Crabbe on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
The suspect was charged with murder, as ASP Daniel Gadzo, Prosecutor for the case during hearing, prayed on the court for time, since the police is still on investigation of the case.
Ebuapanyin Solomon Ato Budu-Hagan, Family Head of Nkusukum Amansie Twidan family in a media interaction after court, expressed shock over the incident and rebuked the suspect over his action, having described him as a self-styled chief.
Nana Amoa l, Gyaasehen for Nkusukum Amansie equally appealed on the court to fast track proceedings of the case and have the law deal with the suspect without fear nor favour.
The case has then been adjourned to Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Credit: Eric Annan