Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 17 March 2012

Source: GNA

Trader charged with murdering 18-year-old pastor

Ama Aboagyewaa, a sachet water vendor at the Awisa Lorry Park in the Birim South District, who allegedly brutally assaulted an 18-year-old self-styled pastor, who died days later, has been remanded in police custody.

Her accomplice, Patrick Boake, 22, a student and a relative to Aboagyewaa, is however on the run and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Aboagyewaa, 54, who became offended when Pastor Yaw Osei allegedly sprinkled some water on her, went into hiding after the incident but was arrested and put before the Circuit Court at Akim Swedru, while investigations continued.

The court, presided over by Mr. Yaw Atta Sampong, did not take the plea of Aboagyewaa, who has been provisionally charged with murder. She would reappear on March 27.

Boake, who is said to have approached the scene during Aboagyewaa's assault on the pastor, joined in the manhandling of the victim until he became feeble.

Police Detective Kingsley Antwi told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the deceased did not report the incident which occurred on January 20, at about 0800 hours to the Police.

However, on January 26, Pastor Osei became indisposed and when his condition deteriorated he was rushed to the Akim Oda Government Hospital but died shortly on arrival.

Inspector Antwi said the matter was, thereafter, reported to the Police, whose investigations led to the arrest of Aboagyewaa on March 9.**