The investigation into the killing of Abambahemaa Nana Serwaa Gyan Kuma, popularly known as Ohemaa of Ohemaa’s Kitchen, has entered an explosive new phase, following the controversial arrest and public presentation of the chief of Akokoa by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, himself.

What initially began as a murder investigation centred around suspects from Amantin and longstanding land disputes has now evolved into a broader national conversation about police professionalism, contested evidence, alleged abuse during arrests, and growing public mistrust over the direction of the investigation.

The IGP, last week, held a press conference announcing a major breakthrough in police investigations into the killing of the Queenmother of Abamba in the Atebubu area of the Bono East Region, but most of his claims, particularly those in reference to the chief of Akokoa, Nana Owusu Sankofi II, alias Charles Kofi Owusu, as the person who contracted for GH¢50,000 to kill the Queenmother, have been challenged.

According to the Police boss, one Nana Yaw Bediako confessed and named the chief, but many, including family members of both parties, have disputed that claim, as they knew of the excellent relationship between the Queen and Nana Owusu Sankofi II, especially their teamwork to preserve their lands.

They were even said to be distant relatives. The suspicion is that he is being framed by the real killers to take the lands.

The method used in his arrest by the Kumasi-based police has also raised questions. Those who went to the house to effect the arrest were dressed in mufti and began destroying property. A frightened Nana Owusu Sankofi and his family were forced to contact known police officers for help after it became clear that the plain-clothed men had ulterior motives.

A CCTV system was later destroyed in the process; this is thought to be an attempt to hide the police’s unprofessional conduct.

The family of Nana Owusu Sankofi II has further challenged the police’s claim that the chief attempted to bribe them with GHC100,000, insisting that the police asked him to bring out all the money he had in his house, which he did, but that was later twisted to suggest an attempt to bribe the officers.

They demand that the police produce the CCTV system that was dismantled from the house and taken away.

Across Atebubu, Akokoa, and Amantin, many residents say the police leadership’s decision to publicly present the Akokoa chief as a major suspect, based largely on claims allegedly made by a criminal suspect, has significantly heightened tensions and deepened suspicion surrounding the case.

The controversy intensified after the IGP held a press conference in which the Akokoa chief was publicly identified as a key suspect among eight people connected to the queen mother’s killing. The development shocked many residents because the Akokoa chief had widely been regarded as one of the closest allies of the slain Abamba queen mother.

Sources familiar with disputes in the area say both traditional leaders had been aligned on several land-related matters involving the Amantin traditional leadership and were commonly viewed as being on the same side in ongoing disputes over community lands.

For that reason, many residents say they were stunned when the police publicly shifted attention toward the Akokoa chief following statements allegedly made by one of the criminal suspects already in custody.

Critics of the investigation now argue that the police leadership may have acted prematurely by elevating contested claims into a public accusation before the evidence had been fully tested in court.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest itself have also become a major source of controversy.

According to family members and insiders, heavily armed police officers reportedly arrived at the Akokoa chief’s residence around 2:00 am seeking to arrest him.

Sources close to the family say the chief hesitated to immediately open the doors because of fears that the individuals outside could have been criminals pretending to be police officers, especially in the tense atmosphere that has engulfed the area since the assassination of the Abamba queen mother.

The chief reportedly informed the officers that he was prepared to cooperate and report to the police in the morning once his safety and the officers’ identities had been confirmed. However, according to the family’s account, the situation escalated when Police officers allegedly forced their way into the house.

Family members further allege that the officers damaged doors, destroyed CCTV systems installed at the residence, and physically assaulted the wife and daughter of the chief during the operation. The destruction of the CCTVE system was believed to have been done to hide incriminating evidence against the police.

Another major source of controversy concerns the same approximately GH¢100,000 allegedly retrieved from the Akokoa chief’s residence during the operation.

According to sources close to the family, police demanded that the chief produce all cash in his possession, and he reportedly complied. However, supporters of the chief now allege that the very money taken from the residence during the operation was later presented by the police against the chief as evidence of alleged inducement or bribery connected to the murder investigation.

The handling of that evidence has, therefore, become central to the controversy surrounding the case. Critics argue that the police appeared to rely heavily on statements made by criminal suspects while also presenting contested evidence publicly before the claims had been fully scrutinised through due process.

Public concern intensified further following reports that one of the suspects linked to the investigation died while being transported from Atebubu to Techiman.

Sources within the area say the deceased suspect was allegedly the individual who mentioned the Akokoa chief during police interrogations.

The sudden death of the suspect has fueled renewed calls for deeper scrutiny into the handling of the investigation.

Residents say the suspect was considered a potentially important figure who could have clarified critical details surrounding the planning and execution of the Queen Mother’s murder.

His death while in police custody or transit has therefore generated widespread speculation and demands for an independent inquiry.

The controversy surrounding the Akokoa chief’s arrest comes against the backdrop of the brutal killing of Nana Serwaa Gyan Kuma in Atebubu.

The queen mother was shot dead in the night shortly after returning home from her restaurant business.

According to eyewitnesses, she arrived home with a colleague and was preparing to enter her room when two armed men allegedly ambushed her and opened fire at close range.

Residents who rushed to the scene after hearing multiple gunshots found the queen mother lying in a pool of blood on her porch.

She reportedly sustained multiple gunshot wounds affecting her hands, back, and head.

Initial suspicions that the attack may have been a robbery quickly faded after personal belongings, including her bag and an iPhone 17, were found untouched at the scene.

The nature of the attack immediately fueled suspicion that the killing had been carefully planned.

Police investigations later led to the arrest of several suspects believed to have links to Amantin.

Investigators say some of the suspects allegedly travelled from Amantin to Atebubu to carry out the attack.

The arrests drew attention to an ongoing land dispute involving the late queen mother and the Amantin traditional leadership.

Police subsequently invited the Amantin paramount chief, Osabarima Bonsie Apau Bonsu II, and the Amantin queen mother, Nana Serwaa Bonsu, for questioning.

The Amantin chief is also known professionally as Frederick Osei Bonsu, a Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), reportedly attached to the 4th Battalion in Kumasi.

Sources close to the matter say the slain queen mother had appeared in court with the Amantin chief and queen mother just one day before she was killed in relation to disputed lands in the Abamba Traditional Area.

Supporters say the queen mother had become widely admired for defending community lands and resisting what many residents viewed as attempts to take over her people’s land.

Because of her outspoken defense of the land, some residents had begun referring to her as a modern-day Yaa Asantewaa.

Further suspicion within the community has been fueled by reports that several individuals believed by some residents to have close associations with the Amantin chief have reportedly fled the town since the queen mother’s killing.

Among the names being discussed by residents is Mohammed Hamza, who sources say is currently on the run and no longer believed to be in custody. Residents claim Hamza is among several individuals who have not returned to Amantin since the assassination, further intensifying speculation within the community.

While no official charges have been publicly announced against some of the individuals residents are discussing, their alleged disappearance has become a major topic of conversation across Amantin and Atebubu.

Others, however, caution against drawing conclusions without verified evidence and insist that investigators must rely on facts rather than rumours or heightened public emotions. As competing narratives continue to emerge, confidence in the investigation appears increasingly strained.

Some residents now fear that if the investigation is perceived as selective, manipulated, or improperly handled, it could deepen mistrust in state institutions and worsen insecurity within the affected communities.

Across Atebubu, Akokoa, and neighbouring areas, residents are now calling for a transparent, professional, and credible investigation into every aspect of the case.

Community members are also appealing to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to help restore calm amid rising tensions and concerns that his revered name has allegedly been invoked in local disputes.

For many residents, the issue is no longer only about solving the murder of a queen mother admired across several communities. It has become a broader test of justice, accountability, police professionalism, and public confidence in the handling of one of the region’s most emotionally charged criminal investigations.

Addressing the media, the IGP, Yohonu, said the Ghana Police Service has, over the past year, intensified intelligence-led operations across the country, leading to the arrest of several suspects linked to violent crimes.

The IGP added that police have also made progress in tackling online crime, including scams and threats circulating on social media.

He said continued operations in Atebubu had made it difficult for criminals to operate freely in the area, noting that intelligence-led swoops and patrols had led to multiple arrests, while some suspects engaged police in shootouts.

“These operations will continue so that law-abiding citizens of the town can live their lives and carry out their normal business activities without any fear of criminal attacks,” he said.

The police chief confirmed that officers have arrested suspects linked to the murder of the Queenmother of Abamba, Nana Serwaa Gyan Kuma, who was killed on 25 February 2026 at her residence in Atebubu.

He explained that once the incidents were reported, he deployed a joint team of intelligence officers, cyber units, anti-robbery teams and regional command officers to support investigations and track the suspects.

A key breakthrough, according to police, came after suspects arrested in Kasoa for preparation to commit robbery were interrogated. During questioning, one suspect, Abdul Razak Ibrahim Langa alias Zak, allegedly disclosed knowledge of the Queenmother’s killing, saying he was present when she was shot and that he later decided to confess.

Further interrogation led police to identify Nana Yaw Bediako, alias Nana Yaw, as the alleged shooter.

Police say Nana Yaw Bediako confessed and named Nana Owusu Sankofi II, also known as Charles Kofi Owusu, chief of Akokoa, as the person who allegedly contracted them to kill the queenmother for GH¢50,000.

Investigators also linked a convicted inmate, Ishaku Alhassan alias Sule Yagani, currently serving a sentence at Ankaful Maximum Security Prison, as an intermediary in the plot.

Two other suspects, Raymond Agyemang Darko, the Abakomahene of Akokoa, and Bukari Amadu, a driver, have also been arrested.

Bono East Regional Police Commander Osei Shaibu confirmed that five main suspects are currently in custody assisting investigations, while three others have been arraigned before the Techiman District Court and remanded.

Police say the queenmother, who operated a restaurant called Ohemaa’s Kitchen, was attacked on February 25, 2026, after returning home from work. She was shot multiple times as she alighted from her vehicle.

Officers who arrived at the scene found her body and recovered three spent 9mm cartridges. A post-mortem conducted on May 23, 2026, by Dr Ernest Boakye of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital indicated that she died from massive haemorrhage caused by gunshot wounds.

Investigations further suggest that the murder was allegedly arranged through intermediaries, with funds transferred via mobile money channels. Police say GH¢21,000 was used to procure a pistol and ammunition, while additional payments were made after the killing.

Forensic examination of phones also reportedly showed communication between key suspects before and after the crime using a SIM card procured for the operation.

On May 19, a joint police team escorted suspects to Atebubu for a reconstruction of the crime scene, where they allegedly demonstrated how the attack was carried out. Police say the suspects explained that they ambushed the Queenmother and followed her to her residence before opening fire.

After the attack, they reportedly fled to a hotel near the Atebubu market before travelling to Accra the following morning.

A further suspect, a convicted prisoner, was also brought in to assist with the investigation. He allegedly told police that he was contacted to facilitate the killing due to disputes over land and traditional leadership in Abamba, and that funds were transferred to procure weapons used in the crime.

Police also revealed that during the arrest of the chief of Akokoa, he allegedly attempted to offer GH¢200,000 to officers to avoid detention, and that an immediate payment of GH¢100,000 was made, which has been retained as evidence.