Kingpin in lynching of Ghanaian army captain reports to police

The Ghana Police Service on Wednesday said it was collaborating with the military high command to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death of a captain.

The Police in a statement said they had dispatched a specialist team to Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region to “gather further evidence and intelligence regarding the murder of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama on Monday 29th May, 2017.”

The team comprised a homicide squad, crime scene management and action units of the Police Operations all from the headquarters in Accra.

They also confirmed that a major local level politician – referred to as Assemblyman – who was said to be the kingpin of the calls to lynch the captain had handed himself in to the police.

“Presently, police are keeping six suspects related to the murder of Captain Mahama in custody. They are William Baah (the Assemblyman of Denkyira Obuasi), Bismark Donkor, Philip Badu, Kofi Nyame, Anthony Amoah and Kofi Badu,” their statement read.

Re – murder of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama pic.twitter.com/ilsXycApqN

— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) May 31, 2017

The police further assured residents of safety and asked them to volunteer information they had on the issue. There was a mass arrest of suspects following the incident but as at now only the six remain in custody.

The police also issued a caution to people on the need to hand over suspected criminals to the appropriate authorities. “… the public is cautioned to desist from meting out punishment or instant justice to suspected wrong doers as such acts are unlawful. All persons suspected of having done any wrong should be reported and handed over to the Police.”

The slain soldier who was due for promotion to the rank of Major was lynched by a mob in the town when he went out jogging on Monday. He was suspected of being an armed robber as he was in house attire and reportedly in possession of a gun.

After he was attacked and killed, his body was also burnt. He had been detailed to lead a military contingent that was in the area as part of the army’s operations against illegal mining – popularly referred to as “galamsey”.