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State prosecutors have been detailing how a house help gruesomely murdered his madam, Stella Osei, in broad daylight at her Apaaso home near Sokoban in Kumasi.
Prosecutors told the Mampong District Court on Monday (18 September) that the prime suspect John Alister, 22, contacted an agency to be recruited as a house help on 4 September 2023. He was subsequently posted from Accra to the victim’s house to start work the next day.
What happened
Having surveyed and noticed that the deceased lived alone with her 11-year-old daughter the suspect connived with his accomplice, James Anokye, and one Collins to perpetrate the crime.
The court heard that on the 11th of September at about 11 a.m. Allister took advantage of the absence of the victim’s daughter and murdered the deceased by “stabbing her in the stomach and also hitting her severally on the head and face with a club”.
He later called James and Collins to the house where they made away with a KIA Sportage vehicle with registration number GS 307-21, a Samsung mobile phone, rice, cooking oil, and other valuables belonging to the victim and escaped to Accra.
The suspects while in Accra contacted one Biggy who connected them to one Christian Obu and sold the vehicle to him.
Arrest
After the incident was reported to the police, a crime scene team was deployed to the home where the body was discovered in a garage. A blood-stained club believed to have been used to commit the crime was retrieved by the team on Tuesday (12 September).
Allister and James were later arrested at their hideout in Accra following an intelligence-led operation. The court heard that whilst the other suspects were being pursued, Christian Obu abandoned the vehicle at the Oyibi Police Station which was recovered.
It also emerged in court that Allister bought a Toyota Vitz vehicle with registration number GS 3107-23 with proceeds from the sale of the victim’s KIA Sportage vehicle.
The two were escorted to face trial in Kumasi.
‘I take responsibility’
Shortly after reading the brief facts, the prosecution prayed the court to grant a request to release the KIA Sportage to the husband of the deceased while the Toyota Vitz vehicle acquired with proceeds of the crime be impounded.
While the accused persons’ pleas were not officially recorded, the primary suspect, John Allister, broke his silence by raising his hand, signaling that he had something to confess.
“I accept responsibility and plead with the court to be lenient with me,’ Allister who looked pale while standing in the dock, told the presiding judge in Twi.
“My friend here has nothing to do with the crime”, I plead with the court to free him”, he added.
Allister confessed to misleading his accomplice, Anokye, under the pretext of helping him transport family belongings to Accra. Despite the court’s reminder that his plea was not yet being formally taken, Allister persisted and appealed for leniency in open court.
Both Allister and Anokye are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, as outlined in sections 23(1) and 46 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29) of 1960.
During proceedings, the police prosecution requested that the court remand the accused persons into police custody to facilitate further investigations.
The family of the deceased who flocked to the court could not hide their tears after hearing the shocking details. They are still reeling over the gruesome murder of Stella Osei, who was also known as Afua Ahenkan.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service says it expects a speedy process in the interest of justice.
“This is a case of murder…Even though they admit to committing the crime due process must be followed”, said lead Prosecutor ASP Stephen Ofori. “The family should be rest assured that whoever is involved [in this case] would be brought to book.”
The case has been adjourned to 3 October 2023.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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