Woman kills husband through food poisoning

Tarkwa (W/R,) June 1-GNA- An elderly woman, Yaa Asantewah, a farmer at Ashire near Ateiku in the Western Region has appeared before a Tarkwa Circuit Court for allegedly putting a poisonous substance into a meal she prepared for her husband resulting in his death. After taking the meal, the husband, Opanyin Kojo Ewusi died and the dog, which ate some of the food also died on the spot. Her plea was not taken and the Court, presided over by Mr. Ajet Nasam remanded her into prison custody.

She is to re-appear on June 22.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Joseph Agbedor of Ateiku Police said the complainants in the case were members of the Unit Committee of Ashire and the accused is a farmer and a wife of Ewusi,, now deceased. Chief Inspector Agbedor said about six months ago, the deceased informed the accused that he intended to marry a second wife and the accused accept the proposal.

He said the deceased intimidated that when the second wife who was pregnant gives birth to a baby boy, all his properties will be given to him and the second wife.

By this revelation, he said the accused planed to kill the husband. Chief Inspector Agbedor said on May 21 the accused killed a foul and prepared groundnut soup with fufu for the husband. The deceased, who had then gone out, came home around 2100 hours and the accused served him with the meal.

The deceased eat the food and gave some to his dog. Chief Inspector Agbedor said about ten minutes after eating the food the deceased complained of stomach pains and foam started coming out of the mouth and he died shortly. The dog also died.

He said the remaining soup, the body and that of the dog were taken to Cape Coast hospital.

The body has been deposited at the mortuary pending autopsy, while the soup would be sent to Food and Drugs Board for examination.