The High Court has recently commenced the trial of a man suspected of the murder of his wife in Foase Kokoben, located in the Ashanti Region. Kwadwo Appiah, aged 42, stands accused of assaulting his wife, Felicia Nti, which ultimately led to her tragic death. This long-awaited trial finally began on Wednesday, 7th February, after a two-year delay, with a seven-member jury empanelled for the case, presided over by Judge Rosemarie Baah Tosu.
According to state prosecutors presenting the case, the suspect was employed as a factory worker at the Special Ice Mineral Water factory in Foase, while the deceased was identified as his wife, despite not living together at the time of the incident.
The court heard that on 6th December 2022, at approximately 1 am, the suspect informed the police that following a disagreement between them, the deceased had called for a vehicle to pick her up and take her home. Despite his efforts to persuade her to stay, she left in a 4×4 pickup. The suspect claimed that he witnessed her fall from the vehicle, after which she was quickly assisted back inside by its occupants.
However, on 7th December 2022, the suspect confessed to the killing of the deceased, admitting to repeatedly striking her against a wall. He stated in his caution statement that he then wrapped her body in a bedsheet, transported it to a nearby plantain farm, and attempted to clean the blood-stained wall with soap and water.
Subsequently, the suspect led the police to the crime scene where the partially decomposed body of the deceased was discovered. It was then conveyed to the morgue for preservation and autopsy.
A post-mortem report by medical professionals revealed that the deceased had suffered severe bleeding, fractures around the right cheek, and other bodily trauma, leading them to classify the incident as an "unnatural death".
Despite pleading not guilty to the charges of murder, the suspect has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to reappear on 12th March 2024 for a case management conference.
The trial has garnered significant attention and is a somber reminder of the importance of seeking justice in cases of alleged domestic violence. As the proceedings continue, it is crucial to uphold the principles of fairness and thoroughness in pursuit of truth and accountability. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have a profound impact on all those involved and serve as a reflection of our justice system's commitment to addressing such grave matters.
-source Ghanaweb | curated by Aisha Yakubu | Ghana Crimes
