Eric Ato Appiah Mends, a 45-year-old acting Gyaasehene of the Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region with the stool name Nana Beeyin II, has been remanded into police custody by the Cape Coast District Court 1 for the murder of 52-year-old Kwesi Mekyeawo.

The murder occurred on Friday, October 25, 2024, during preparations for the Nkusukum Odambea Festival, during a ritual procession to slaughter a cow at Nkusukum, a suburb of Mankessim.

A procession which witnessed an interruption by some individuals of the Nkusukum Obaatan Division, saw the Gyaasehene pull out a gun and shoot the deceased in the head. 

The said chief following the occurrence reported himself to the Mankessim Divisional Police Command and was arraigned before the Cape Coast District Court 1, presided over by Her Worship Anita Sheila Crabbe on Tuesday, October 29.

The suspect was charged with murder, as ASP Daniel Gadzo, prosecutor for the case during hearing, prayed the court for time, since the police is still on investigation of the case.

Ebusapanyin Solomon Ato Budu-Hegan, Family Head of Nkusukum Amansea Twidan family in a media interaction after court, expressed shock over the incident and rebuked the suspect over his action, describing him as a self styled chief.

Nana Amoa l, Gyaasehene for Nkusukum Amansea, equally appealed to the court to fast track proceedings of the case and have the law deal with the suspect without fear nor favour.

The case has then been adjourned to Tuesday, November 12, 2024.