Norpalm Oil Plantation labourer murdered

Hotopo (W/R), May 4, GNA 97 Joseph Arthur, a 35-year old labourer at the Norpalm Oil Plantation in the Ahanta West District was gruesomely murdered when he was returning from work on Thursday, April 28. The Kwesimintsim District Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ben Ofori Acquah, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday. ASP Acquah said the deceased, who resided at Hotopo, a suburb of Takoradi, went to work around 0630 hours on that fateful day and was expected home in the evening. But he was found dead around 1930 hours along a bushy route leading to his residence with several bruises on the face and the head. He said the body had been deposited at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital mortuary awaiting autopsy.

Police sources told the GNA that investigations conducted so far into the murder indicated that the deceased was attacked by some Norpalm Oil Plantation security men when he allegedly took some residues of the palm fruits without authorization.

The police source said the deceased attempted to escape with the palm fruits but was pursued by one security man (name withheld) into the bush an= d was later found dead on the route leading to his house. ASP Acquah said the security men of Norpalm Oil Plantation had been invited for questioning but no arrest had been made. Investigations, however, continue.