The Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah has told a Sunyani High Court that two members of the Abudu Royal family are in police custody because of their alleged involvement in the murder of Dagbon King. Counsel for the two men, Yidana Sugri and Iddrisu Jahinfo filed a writ against the IGP, the Director of BNI and the Interior Minister demanding an explanation as to why his clients were being detained without charge.

This was after the IGP had failed to respond to a letter from Nana Obiri Boahen demanding the reasons for the continuous detention of his clients. The court granted his motion and gave the IGP, BNI Director and Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander eight days to appear before it.

In his statement of defense to the court today, the IGP explained that the two men were arrested because independent police investigations into the Yendi conflict found them culpable. Counsel for the IGP and Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Kwame Nkrumah Akomea said it was established that Sugri was seen carrying a severed head of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani II with blood oozing from it, which he sent to the Bolin Lana’s palace. Jahinfo was also seen holding the Ya Na’s hand.

The two were therefore arrested at Tamale and brought to Accra. Mr Akomea said they were arraigned before a magistrate court charged with murder. The court remanded them in custody.

Nana Obiri Boahen however denied knowledge of his client’s appearance in a magistrate court. The court therefore asked counsel for the IGP to produce documents. The case was adjourned to enable the police to produce evidence of the trial at the magistrate court.