Youth Chief Remanded Over Death Of Cattle Rustler

The Tamale District Court has remanded the youth chief (Nachinaa) of Kakpag-yili, a suburb of Tamale in prison custody for his alleged involvement in the death of a cattle rustler who was arrested at the Bulpela Butchers Shop.

According to the prosecution, the suspect, Mohammed Fuseini 31, together with his accomplices allegedly subjected three suspects who had been accused of stealing two cows to torture as a way of getting them to confess to the crime.

One of the suspects later collapsed and died on the way to the Bulpela chief’s palace.The deceased, Issahaku Abdul Rauf 25, was arrested together with Tahiru Usman 24 and Amadu Musah, 20.

Fuseini, who had been provisionally charged for murder, will reappear before the court, presided over by Mr Augustine Asaah, on September 21, this month.

Cattle thieves granted bail

The court, however, granted bail to the two accomplices of the deceased in the sum of GH¢3,000 with a surety each to be justified.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing. They are to reappear before the court on September 28, this month.

Trial by ordeal

The presiding magistrate cautioned residents of Tamale, especially chiefs and opinion leaders, against the practice of subjecting suspected criminals to trial by ordeal as a way of getting them to confess to crimes.

He indicated that even though citizens could assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending suspected criminals, it behoved them to hand over such suspects to the police but not to take the law into their own hands by beating them to confess their crimes.

Facts

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector William Osei-Owusu told the court that in the afternoon of Friday September 11 this year, some youth of Kakpayili arrested three persons for allegedly stealing two cows at the Bilpela butchers shop.

He said the suspects were subsequently sent to the palace of the youth chief who, together with his accomplices, subjected the suspects to severe beatings.

The officer said after subjecting the suspects to 'trial by ordeal', later asked the youth to take the suspects to the Bilpela chief's palace.On their way, Issahaku collapsed and died.

Chief Inspector Osei-Owusu said when the police got wind of the incident, they rushed to the scene where they saw the deceased on the ground with bruises all over his body and a deep cut at the back of his head. His accomplices also had bruises on various parts of their bodies.

According to him, the body of the deceased was sent to the Tamale Teaching Hospital mortuary where it is awaiting autopsy.The prosecutor said in their caution statement, the other suspects admitted to the offence.