Three illegal miners charged with murder

Three illegal miners on Monday appeared before a Takoradi District Magistrate's Court for alleged conspiracy to commit crime and murder.

The accused persons whose pleas were not taken were James Agbezuhlor, 29, Seth Alormenu, 24 and Frederick Koomsons, 25. They were remanded to re-appear on May 3.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Felix Dank said the murdered persons, Tettey Tamakloe and his wife, Agnes Quaicoe and Kobina Akpakuley lived at Bonsawira.

He said on April 4, the deceased persons arrived at Wassa Asuoso to register as voters in the biometric registration exercise as that of Bonsawira had ended.

Inspector Danku said they arrived in a taxi belonging to Tamakloe alias Macho man and was driven by Akpakuley.

He said on their arrival at Asuoso, the accused persons and others now at large claimed they were ritual murderers and started questioning them.

Inspector Danku said, this attracted a lot of people to the scene and they pounced on Tamakloe, Agnes and Akpakuley and started beating them.

They were, however, rescued by a witness in the case and sent to the Chief's palace where they were kept in a room and a report was made to the police who rushed to the scene.

Inspector Danku said the mob overpowered the few policemen and seized the deceased persons.

The mob tortured them until Tamakloe and Akpakuley became unconscious and died on the scene.

Inspector Danku said the mob poured petrol on the body of Tamakloe and burnt it beyond recognition but the police rescued Agnes who sustained serious head and body injuries.

He said Agnes is receiving treatment at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital and bodies of Tamakloe and Akpakuley have been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.

Inspector Danku said initial police investigation led to the arrest of the accused persons who took part in the mob action and are assisting the police in its investigations.**