Family disputes the age of the accused in murder case

Agogo (Ash), May 19, GNA - The family of an 18-year-old boy who was stabbed to death by a friend at Kurofa, near Juaso in the Asante Akim South District has disputed the age of his assailant, who claimed to be 16 years when he appeared before the Agogo Magistrate Court. Paa Kwasi allegedly stabbed Evans Kwasi Amponsah following an argument over a spectacle.

When he was arrested by the Agogo Police, he gave his age as 16, a claim the family of the deceased insist is dubious. Mr. Kwasi Effah, father of the deceased, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that they lived in the same vicinity with the accused and that "even the younger brother of the accused is above 18 years." He said the accused had falsified his age to deceive the police and escape severe punishment.

He said they were not going to allow him to have his way and vowed to contest and prove beyond any doubt that Kwasi is older than he claims to be.

The accused, when he appeared before the court presided over by Mrs. Vida Ayitey, was remanded into prison custody and would re-appear on May 20. The Magistrate said the case would be referred to a juvenile panel to decide his fate.

Detective Police Inspector Eric Atatsi said about two weeks ago the deceased gave his spectacle to a friend at a funeral. The deceased went to the friend to collect his spectacle but was told it had been given to the accused who refused to hand it over to the deceased when he went to demand it. Later in evening the two met in town and a confrontation ensued, degenerating into a fight and in the process the accused stabbed the deceased in the chest. The deceased was taken to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital where he but was pronounced dead.