Accra, Aug. 29, GNA - Relatives of Alex Kobina Akomsi, an Elmina-based Businessman, on Friday broke down in tears after an Accra High Court sentenced him and two others to death by hanging for murdering a business woman and removing her vagina at Ntranoa, near Elmina, in the Central Region.
This was after a seven-member jury returned a verdict of guilty on Akomsi, 60, Ebenezer Mark Owusu, 25 and John Kwesi Williams, 68 and the court sentenced them accordingly.
They were charged with conspiracy and murdering Ewura Esi Segbefia. Immediately judgement was pronounced, Akomsi's wife suddenly started panting and shouted "In the name of Jesus", "Jesus where are you?"
She left the courtroom followed by some sympathisers. Relatives of Akomsi shouted insults on Williams and Owusu who, they claimed, had incriminated him.
When warders were leading Owusu and Williams into a waiting car, Akomsi's relatives attempted to attack them but the prison officers rescued them.
The Court presided over by Mr Justice G.A. Aryeetey said the convicts would remain in prison until the head of State directs where their bodies should be buried after they have been hanged. The Judge stated that they had 30 days to appeal.
Summing up, the Judge noted that Owusu and Williams earlier confessed to the crime but later denied it while Akomsi has denied his involvement since his arrest. He added that Owusu and Williams gave inconsistent evidence.
The Court said the Prosecution had been able to prove its case against Owusu and Williams but failed to do so on the part of Akomsi adding the Prosecution had not been able to lead cogent evidence to prove Akomsi's guilt.
The Judge said the evidence of Owusu and Williams incriminated Akomsi adding that the Prosecution was only relying on incriminatory evidence against him.
"However, the onus lies on the Prosecution to prove the guilt of Akomsi beyond reasonable doubt. "The Police based their investigations only on statements made by Owusu and Williams."
The Jury, however, unanimously returned a verdict of guilty on all the three.
When the Court asked the convicts to make any comment they wished before sentences were passed, Owusu said: "I leave everything to God," but William said he had nothing to say.
Akomsi said he was innocent and that it was because he failed to assist Williams in his involvement in a currency case that Williams incriminated him.
The facts of the Prosecution are that Ms Segbefia was a businesswoman, who lived at Ntranoa, near Elmina, in the Central Region, while Owusu alias Fiifi was her houseboy.
Williams was the stepfather of Owusu while Akomsi, who lived at Elmina and Abidjan was a friend of Williams. According to the Prosecution, on January 18, 2000, Williams and Akomsi visited the deceased. On January 22, all three met and discussed how to kill Ms Segbefia.
The Prosecution said at about 1900 hours on January 25, 2000, Akomsi picked Williams in his car and drove to Ntranoa, where deceased lived and Owusu opened the gates for them.
Owusu took a club and in the company of Williams and Akomsi went into Ms Segbefia's bedroom. Owusu hit the deceased several times while Williams held her tightly by the neck until she became unconscious. The to Prosecution said Akomsi took a pair of scissors and a knife which he had on him and removed Ms Segbefia's vagina.
After the crime, Owusu took the unserviceable television and a VW Beetle car of the deceased.
The Prosecution said the following morning, Owusu reported to the Police that some business partners of the deceased had attempted to kill him but he escaped from the house and needed the assistance of the Police.
Police investigations, however, led to the arrest of Owusu, who confessed to the crime. Williams was also arrested and he confessed but Akomsi denied his involvement.
