Two brothers face murder charge

TWO brothers, Kwaku Amoako and Kwasi Appiah, appeared before the Berekum Circuit Court yesterday on a provisional charge of murdering their five-and-half year-old nephew, Richard Kwasi Nsiah, at Anwiakwanta near Bekwai on Saturday evening.

Their pleas were not taken and the court, presided over by Mr. Justice Frank Manu remanded them in prison custody to re-appear on August 7, 2000.

Inspector M.Y. Agumah told the crowded court that the accused persons lost a relative and celebrated the 40th day anniversary on the day of the incident.

He said Amoako, 35, sent the deceased and his friend with ?200 to buy him kenkey. When the deceased returned, Amoako invited him to his room to give him a gift for being a good boy.

Inspector Agumah said when they entered the room, Amoako picked a knife and slashed Nsiah’s throat.

After the act, the accused took a big towel, wrapped the boy’s body with it and kept it behind a sofa in the room.

According to the prosecutor, at about 4.30 p.m. that evening, the deceased’s mother was searching for him to take his meal when she met Nsiah’s friend, who told her that Richard was invited by Amaoko into his room.

Inspector Agumah said the woman informed some elders in the town but the second accused, Appiah, prevented them from entering his brother’s room.

He said the elders reported the matter to the Anwiakwanta Police and when Amoako was ordered to open the door, the body of the deceased was found wrapped in a towel behind the sofa.

Meanwhile, the body of Richard has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.