Kromfom chaos: KATH fails to release Tawiah’s body for burial

Tension is mounting once again in Krofrom in the Ashanti region as family members of Richmond Osei popularly known as Tawiah are angry with officials of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for failing to release Tawiah’s body for burial.

The final funeral rites for the 22-year-old who died after he was brutalized by the Police was scheduled to come off today Thursday, June 9 in Krofrom.

However, the funeral rites have stalled because management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital say they will only release the remains of Tawiah after they receive an official clearance from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who have taken over investigations.

According to a family member who spoke to Ultimate FM’s Isaac Bediako Justice, the CID say they will only give orders for the body to be released for burial if the family accepts the autopsy report.

Background

Tawiah who was mistaken for a criminal by a Police patrol team was brutally assaulted with batons and dragged on the streets by the Police officers till he became unconscious.

He was later bundled into a Police van and sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

His death angered the youth of Krofom who blocked roads and burnt tires in protest of the young man's death.

The three Police officers were subsequently arrested by the Ashanti regional Police command.

An autopsy report conducted by the Hospital revealed that Tawiah did not die from Police brutality but from a congestive heart failure. The family have vehemently rejected the report and have rained curses on the Police officers.

The Police officers were subsequently released from custody.