Disputed Chief shot dead

The town of Achiaman in the Ga West Municipality near Amasaman, a suburb of Accra, is at a standstill following the gruesome murder of the chief of the area, Nii Kwartey Djan I, on the outskirts of the town Sunday evening.

The late chief, Nii Kwartey Djan, 39, met his untimely death around 7:30pm when unknown assassins fired several rounds of bullets at the Nissan Land Rover vehicle in which he was traveling to Accra. He died on the spot.

Confirming the story to Daily Guide, the Public Relations Office of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Cyprian Zenge, indicated that the deceased, Nii Kwartey Djan, was traveling with his junior brother Enoch Kwartey Martey from the village to Accra in his Nissan Land Rover with registration number GW 9777V on Sunday evening. “Upon reaching the railway lane area near the Central Gospel Church, a gang of young men on board a white and yellow Kia Pride taxi cub with an unknown registration number, laid ambush and fired at his car indiscriminately, mercilessly killing him instantly.”

He disclosed that the deceased’s junior brother Enoch Kwartey Martey, who sustained an injury in the head, was rushed to the Police Hospital for treatment.

ASP Zenge averred that the police were making efforts to arrest the perpetrators of the act.

Meanwhile, when Daily Guide visited the residence of the deceased around 1:00pm Monday morning, a large crowd had gathered at the house, weeping; while some consoled the family.

The deceased’s two wives, together with their five children, who could not control their emotions, accused one Achia for the act.

According to the Dzaasetse of Achiaman, Nii Quaye Mensah I, there was a chieftaincy dispute in the town involving the deceased’s house and that of another person by name Nii Achai II.

He alleged that the Achai house claimed to be custodians of the land and frequently attacked the deceased’s family. He averred that the matter was taken to the Ga Traditional Council where the ruling, seven years ago, went in favour of the late chief, as the man to rule the people of Achiaman.

“Nii Achia II, the self-acclaimed chief, also an uncle to the deceased, then took the matter to the Dodowa House of Chiefs.”

He maintained that “this is not the first time a member of the Kwartey Djan house has been attacked. “Years ago, the Asafoatse of the town, Yaaletse Badja was killed mysteriously by unknown assassins in his house. His junior brother, who succeeded him, by name Yaatei Badja, was also killed in under similar circumstances. But as at now, the police have not been able to arrest any person for the act.”

He appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to come to their aid.