Seven military officers, including senior officers and a driver, have been remanded by the Suame District Court in connection with the alleged assault of civilians, which led to the deaths of two victims. The officers face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The accused include Lt. Selim Nikoi Neequaye, Lt. Emmanuel Abrokwa, Lt. Daniel Osae, Sergeant Kumi Edmond, Lance Corporal Ameyaw Desmond, Private Ampah Felix, Private Gyekye, and Thomas Adjei Mensah, a civilian employee at the 4th Battalion.
The officers are reported to have assaulted three men who were arrested on March 28 and taken to the 4th Infantry Battalion barracks. The bodies of two of the victims were later found in Danyame, a suburb of Kumasi. The victims have been identified as Kwame Adu (also known as Ogee), Kwabena Sarfo, and Christian Obiri Yeboah (popularly called Kofi Yesu).
The prosecution claims the men were detained by military officers on suspicion of stealing a mobile phone from another civilian. They were then taken to the 4BN barracks, beaten, and later abandoned at Danyame.
Detective Inspector Justice Ativor, the police prosecutor, stated that, through collaboration with the Military Command, the suspects were arrested. In their statements, the officers admitted to detaining the victims for questioning and later dropping them off in Danyame, but denied beating them. The only surviving victim, Christian Obiri Yeboah, testified that they were assaulted after being brought to the military barracks.
During court proceedings, police prosecutors requested that the accused be remanded in prison to facilitate further investigations. However, the defense lawyers opposed this, requesting that the officers be remanded into the custody of the Military Police.
In a statement issued on April 2, 2025, the Military High Command confirmed that the victims sustained varying degrees of injury and assured the public that a thorough investigation would take place.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, assured that anyone found guilty would face legal consequences. After hearing both sides, the presiding judge ruled that the accused be held in Military Police custody.
The families of the deceased, present in court, continue to demand justice.
The officers will remain in custody until the case is heard again on April 22, 2025.
