Rejoice Amakie Yabani, mother of Joana Yabani, the KNUST student who was murdered on February 27, 2025, has shared heartbreaking details about the sad incident.

Speaking on GTV’s Women’s Voice show, in a discussion later shared on social media on March 20, 2026, Rejoice revealed that through private investigations, the family discovered the suspect had threatened that no one could have Joana if he could not.

According to her, the family had been conducting their private investigations on the matter and found out the guy was exhibiting narcissistic tendencies prior to the incident.

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"Somebody told us that the suspect, Daniel Tuffour, had said that 'if she cannot be for me, she can't be for anybody'," she said.

Joana had previously informed her parents about his persistent pestering, prompting her father to confront him at school and advise him to leave her alone to focus on her education.

Despite these warnings, Joana’s mother expressed disbelief that the young man could act with such cruelty simply because her daughter was not interested in the relationship.

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"She pointed out the guy to Daddy. So, he asked, Are you Daniel Tuffour? He said, " Yes, did you come here to study or to follow women. He said, " Yes, I came to study. So he said, You are young, and as you can see, she wants to focus on her studies. So, you too focus on your studies," she narrated.

" ...even people marry, and they divorce, but they are still walking about...in high school when you go through this I love you thing and get a heartbreak, you move on...you know, and you kill my daughter," she decried.

Rejoice Yabani has, however, vowed to pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law to ensure that justice is served.

Background

Joana Deladem Yabani a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, was found dead on February 27, 2025.

A statement released by the institution stated, “ … at approximately 5:00 a.m. on February 27, 2025, the KNUST Security Services received a report of a lifeless body of a female near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre. The body was promptly transported to the University Health Services, where she was confirmed dead.

“The deceased was later identified as Miss Joana Deladem Yabani, a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. The University has officially informed her family, and we extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time”.

Daniel Tuffour, an alleged lover of the late Joana Yabani, is the prime suspect in the ongoing murder trial.

Mother of the deceased, Rejoice Yabani, providing further details on the matter, claimed that based on CCTV footage and earlier evidence gathered, Daniel Tuffour had stolen her daughter's mobile phone before her death.

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@thevokofficial

According to Rejoice Amakie Yabani, mother of the late, Joana Deladem Yabani, the family did a private investigation and found out that Daniel Tuffour had told someone that; If “She (Joana) cannot be for me (Daniel Tuffour) then she can't be for anybody” 💔👀 Stay tuned ✅

♬ son original - @Stéphane lombela