Court orders murder suspect sent to psychiatric hospital for evaluation

A 23-year-old man, accused of murdering his 60-year-old father, Yaw Nbim, has been referred to the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Coast by the Enchi District Magistrate Court to determine his mental health status.

Abednego Nbim, unemployed, allegedly committed the crime at Kuesuea, a cottage in Old Yakase within the Aowin municipality. He is currently facing a provisional charge of murder. His plea has not been taken, and the trial judge, Mr. Lawrence Buanor-Buer, has adjourned the case to Monday, May 20, 2024.

The prosecutor, Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, informed the court that Akosua Andolo, the complainant and the suspect's mother, resided with the deceased (her husband), the suspect, and other siblings at Kuesuea. The suspect's parents had noticed his abnormal behavior for some time and had taken him to the Enchi Government Hospital’s Mental Health Unit for a thorough examination and treatment.

On April 1, 2024, the suspect was admitted to the facility, where a referral letter was issued for him to be sent to the Wa Regional Hospital Mental Health Unit for further care. However, he was discharged on April 5, 2024, to enable the parents to proceed to Wa for the necessary medical attention, but they took him home, claiming he was suffering from a spiritual affliction.

Chief Inspector Agyare recounted that on April 13, 2024, at about 7:00 PM, the complainant went behind their building to bathe, and the suspect followed her, attempting to engage in sexual activity with her. She managed to escape, but while attempting to calm the suspect, his father approached and was attacked by the suspect.

The court heard that the suspect's younger brother, upon witnessing the incident, quickly reported it to the Old Yakasi community's committee chairman, while the complainant sought help from a nearby cottage. The suspect was subsequently arrested and handed over to the police. Later, the complainant reported to the committee that her husband was missing after the suspect allegedly chased him away from the cottage.

Opinion leaders organized a search party, and on April 14, 2024, at approximately 1:00 AM, they discovered Yaw Nbim's body in a bush about 90 meters from their cottage.