Court denies bail for nine suspects in alleged murder of cab driver

The Tarkwa District Court One has refused bail for nine individuals accused of murdering a taxi driver, Kwadwo Donkor, also known as ‘Chilling,’ in Akotom, within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.

The court's decision aims to allow further investigations into the case, following a request for bail by the defense counsel. 

The accused, charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and murder, have yet to enter a plea. They are expected to reappear before the court, presided over by Mr. Charles Owusu Nsiah, on April 3, 2025.

Prosecuting the case, Police Sergeant Enoch Assan Donkor identified the accused as Nana Kwabena Agyarko, Evans Azure (alias Ampana), Peter Kwamena Antwi, Felix Atsu Davor, Sampson Agbodojie, Kojo Bonzy, Stephen Owusu, Kofi Ampabeng, and Lucky Mudoo. The suspects, aged between 30 and 72, work in various professions, including teaching, masonry, driving, and farming, and reside in Akotom and Camp.

According to the prosecution, on November 8, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Donkor left home for work in his taxi but never returned. When attempts to reach him failed, his employer, the complainant, reported his disappearance to the police on November 9, 2024.

During the investigation, police received a tip-off that a suspect, Sheriffa, who remains at large, allegedly raised a false alarm claiming Donkor was a thief near her husband's vehicle in Akotom. This prompted the accused and several unidentified community members to confront Donkor.

The group reportedly restrained Donkor against an electric pole using a rope provided by Azure. They then subjected him to severe beatings with various objects, which allegedly resulted in his death. Upon realizing he had died, the suspects transported his body on a tricycle and abandoned it in a bush along the Tarkwa-Bogoso Highway, approximately 1.5 kilometers from Akotom.

On November 10, 2024, Agyarko was arrested for questioning. Initially denying involvement, he later confessed and implicated Antwi and others. Agyarko subsequently led police to the location where the body was dumped. Due to decomposition, the remains were in an advanced state when retrieved.

Azure was arrested on November 12, 2024, and identified Antwi and Davor as accomplices. They were later apprehended at their hideout. Police intelligence later linked the remaining suspects to the crime, leading to their arrests.

Following the investigation, authorities prepared a duplicate docket and submitted it to the Attorney General’s office in Sekondi for further review and legal advice.