The family of a 40- year-old Akpeteshie Distiller who died in the process of a police arrest has called on the Ghana police for a thorough probe.
Komla Kumah Gasonu, the deceased, reportedly died under bizarre circumstances on the night of May 23, 2023, at Okanta near Kadjebi in the Oti Region.
According to the Kadjebi District Police Commander, Superintendent Gyan-Mante Frempong, the deceased was arrested over an alleged ginger theft.
He said while heading to the Police Station, Gasonu, who sat on a motorbike together with the complainant and a police officer pushed the officer and wanted to escape.
But he fell heavily on the asphalted road and sustained head injuries.
The police commander said the suspect was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
However, the family has rejected the police account of the events that led to the death of their relative.
The wife of the deceased, Awin Lorlornyo told journalists that two police officers visited their home on the night to arrest her husband.
She said when she opened the door, the officers bypassed her and went for her husband, who was asleep and began to assault him with the butt of the service gun and stamped on him with their boots.
Madam Lorlornyo said that he started bleeding profusely from his ears and nose before the officers dragged him from the house to the roadside.
She alleged that when she made an attempt to call for help, the officers pointed their guns at her and she decided against it.
She added that although she is not a medical doctor, she suspected that her husband died before he was dragged out.
A spokesperson for the Family, Elder David Alornyo also said that the initial cause of death was attributed to injury as a result of an accident or metal object used to hit the head.
He said that is, however, yet to be confirmed through post-mortem as they do not have that service at the St. Mary Theresa Hospital where the body is kept.
They are, therefore, appealing to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo- Dampare to cause an independent investigation to unravel the cause of their relative’s death.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Gyan-Mante Frempong has asked the bereaved family to exercise patience for the investigation to conclude.