The Kwahu Afram Plains South Farmers’ Association is demanding a private and independent pathologist to examine the corpse of the late Akwasi Ahorku aka Otumfuo who was allegedly shot and killed by some police officers last year at Maame Krobo.
The farmers’ association hinted that the move to seek a private and independent pathologist to examine the body of the late Akwasi Ahorku has become necessary following what they described as unfair treatment by the Police and government.
The move by the Farmers’ Association stems from the unsuccessful attempt by the state to provide a fair and reliable pathologist to conduct autopsy on the body of the deceased.
Speaking at a press conference held at Maame Krobo in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District on Wednesday, the group expressed its grievances and concerns over the delay of the report investigating the death of the late Otumfuo.
According to the spokesperson for the group Iddrissu Ibn-Swalah, all the necessary steps to have taken to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Otumfuo.
Iddrissu Ibn-Swalah told the media that they suspect foul play on the part of the police since Otumfuo was shot and killed by the police officers while he was in his room harmless, hence the frustration and time buying by the police to conceal their act.
The spokesperson disclosed that with the help of their lawyer, petitions have been written by the family, Farmers Association and chiefs seeking private and independent pathologist to rerun the autopsy of the victim in order to allay their suspicion.
They averred that all efforts made to unravel the mystery have been hit with cold indifference and apathy from the politicians.
On his part, the chief of Maame Krobo, Nana Nyakum-Panyin IV called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akufo Dampare, the Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong and the government to pay attention to the issue to avert future occurrences.
The brother of the deceased Kofi Tse also appealed to authorities to engage the bereaved family before the burial of the deceased. He announced that on the days of the funeral, rituals would be performed to invoke deities to take revenge for the death.
Background
It would be recalled that a 54-year-old farmer, Kwasi Ahoku was allegedly shot to death by the police at his residence at Maame Krobo in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region.
It was alleged that the police were the cause of the death after firing several shots into house of the deceased in an attempt to force him out for interrogation after a Fulani herdsman claimed that his cattle have been killed.
It was reported that about fifteen bullets were fired at the deceased residence, leaving several gunshot marks on the wall of the house in the incident which occurred on Friday February 3, 2023 around 6:30am.
“After the gunshots the police forced and broke into the room of the suspect and found him dead with gunshot wounds on his body in a pool of blood” it was reported.