The Wa district court was packed to capacity as it convened to address the case of the tragic death of Eric Johnson, the proprietor of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, also known as Jirapa Dubai. Chief Superintendent of Police, Abdulai Amadu Alichewu, leading the prosecution, began by apprising the court of amendments to the charge sheet. He then petitioned for the discharge and acquittal of four out of the seven suspects.
Mr. Amadu Alichewu concluded by asserting that the prosecution possessed compelling evidence implicating the prime suspect, Eliasah Mahama Akpanyikye, and his partner, Belinda Miller, in the murder of Mr. Johnson. Presiding over the proceedings, Maxwell Maxbrain Titiriku remanded Mr. Mahama Akpanyikye to prison custody, while Miss Miller and Kweku Kumbata were to be held in police custody until their reappearance on April 15.
Formerly employed as the human resource manager at the hotel, Mr. Akpanyikye, along with his girlfriend, who served as a front desk officer, was dismissed on February 9, along with four others. Allegations of engaging in multiple inappropriate relationships with female employees, resulting in discord and disruption, led to their dismissal. However, the hotel management later revoked the termination of 26-year-old Belinda Miller, who was serving her national service.
The prosecution revealed that Eliasah Mahama Akpanyikye unlawfully gained entry into Eric Johnson’s residence on the night of February 10 by scaling the fortified fence with the aid of an aluminum ladder. Phone records indicated numerous calls made to Belinda Miller, during which Mr. Akpanyikye sought information on the master key to Mr. Johnson’s room.
Once inside, Mr. Akpanyikye perpetrated a violent attack on Mr. Johnson, resulting in fatal injuries. He absconded with an undisclosed sum of money and Mr. Johnson’s Nissan car key, abandoning the vehicle in Jirapa Zongo. Additionally, on that same evening, Mr. Akpanyikye left his other girlfriend, Laureate Asare, alone in his room under false pretenses, before departing for Takoradi, where he was eventually apprehended and extradited to Wa.
During interrogation, Mr. Akpanyikye initially claimed his injury stemmed from a kitchen mishap while preparing food. However, evidence presented by the prosecution contradicted his account, leading to further suspicion.
Mr. Amadu Alichewu reiterated the prosecution’s stance, emphasizing their belief that Eliasah Mahama Akpanyikye, in collusion with Belinda Miller, conspired to murder the CEO of Jirapa Royal Cosy Hills Hotel.
The court instructed the prosecution to coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General to expedite the ongoing investigation.
