Acting Gyaasehene of the Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region, Eric Ato Appiah Mends, known as Nana Beeyin II, has been remanded into two weeks of police custody by the Cape Coast District Court 1 for the murder of 52-year-old Kwesi Mekyeawo.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, October 25, during preparations for the Nkusukum Odambea Festival, as a ritual procession took place to slaughter a cow in New Nkusukum, a suburb of Mankessim.
During the procession, an altercation erupted involving members of the Nkusukum Obaatan Division, which led Mends to pull out a gun and fatally shoot Mekyeawo in the head.
Following the incident, the suspect reported to the Mankessim Divisional Police Command and was subsequently arraigned before the court, presided over by Her Worship Anita Sheila Crabbe.
Mends was charged with murder, and ASP Daniel Gadzo, the prosecutor, requested additional time for ongoing investigations.
In a media interaction after the court session, Abuapanyin Solomon Ato Budu-Hegan, Family Head of the Nkusukum Amansea Twidan family, expressed shock at the incident and criticized Mends, labeling him a self-styled chief.
Nana Amoa I, Gyaasehene for Nkusukum Amansea, urged the court to expedite proceedings and ensure justice is served without bias.
The case is set to be adjourned to Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
