Eric Ato Appiah Mends, a 45-year-old Acting Gyaasehene of the Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Mfantseman Municipality, has been remanded in police custody by the Cape Coast District Court One.
During the Odambia Festival on Friday, October 25, the Gyaasehene, also known as Nana Beeyin II, was involved in a tragic incident where he shot and killed 52-year-old Kwesi Melchoir after a dispute.
The conflict between the two men may have been triggered by a dispute over chieftaincy. During the proceedings, the suspect was formally charged with murder by the court presided over by Judge Anita Sheila Crabb.
Mends has been detained and is set to return to court on November 11, 2024.
Abusuapanyin Solomon Ato Budu-Hagan, the family head of the Nkusukum Amansea Twidan royal house, was taken aback by the incident as he detailed the events leading up to the altercation.
The events in Mankessim caught us off guard. The Nkusukum Traditional Council is currently involved in legal disputes relating to matters of chieftaincy. On the first day of the festival, one group advocated for slaughtering a cow while the other group opposed the idea.
We warned them multiple times, but they refused to listen, ultimately resulting in the incident. We want to urge the court to expedite the legal proceedings so that justice can be served more quickly.
