Murder of labourer in Takoradi: Court strikes out case over jurisdictional issues

The Kaneshie District Court has dismissed a case in which seven individuals were charged for their alleged involvement in the murder of a labourer, Robert Eshun, also known as Kojo Pete in Takoradi.

The court cited jurisdictional issues and released three out of the seven accused individuals.

Those released are Benjamin Appiah, also known as Kofi Bakado, Joseph Arthur, also known as Opanyin Yena, and Christian Acquah.

Four others, currently at large, are Anthony Cudjoe, also known as Kuffour, Ekow Shadow, Benjamin Aggrey, and Evans Naku.

The seven accused individuals have been collectively charged with conspiracy to commit the crime of murder.

Two out of the seven accused individuals have been charged with murder. They are Benjamin Kofi Appiah, a mason, and Joseph Arthur, also known as Opanyin Yena, a fisherman.

Immediately after the court released the accused individuals, the Police re-arrested them at the court premises.

According to the prosecution, the deceased Robert Eshun, also known as Kojo Pete, was a laborer at a block factory in Takoradi and lived in Butumagyebu, a suburb in Sekondi. On July 7, 2023, while the deceased was passing by the block factory of suspect Joseph Arthur, he was apprehended by suspect Ekow Shadow (currently at large) who was wielding a cutlass suspecting him of being a thief.

The prosecution stated that Ekow Shadow, with the help of Benjamin Appiah, stopped the deceased while Ekow Shadow called Aggrey and Naku, who were also at large, to come to the scene.

Aggrey and Naku arrived at the scene with a club and a long, hard leather whip, respectively, and severely beat the deceased.

The prosecution mentioned that Appiah called Joseph Arthur through someone and informed him about the arrest of the deceased. Joseph Arthur then rushed to the scene barefoot with canes and joined Appiah, Shadow, Naku, and Aggrey in allegedly beating the deceased.

Evans Naku allegedly used a cutlass he took from Ekow Shadow to strip the deceased naked for others to lash him on the back with various objects they were holding.

Christian Acquah and Anthony Cudjoe (currently at large) later joined the group and continued beating the deceased.

The accused individuals placed the deceased in a supine position, and Joseph Arthur allegedly stepped on his chest several times.

The deceased was then dragged to a roadside where Shadow, Appiah, Aggrey, and Evans Naku held him, and Joseph Arthur allegedly used a cutlass to shave part of the deceased's head. The deceased became unconscious, and they dragged him back to the front of the factory before fleeing the scene.

The prosecution stated that the deceased's body was taken to Efia Nkwanta Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Benjamin Appiah was arrested in Bakado after going into hiding following the incident. Arthur and Christian Acquah were also arrested.

The prosecution mentioned that the investigation was still ongoing.