Kumasi police parry torture accusations

The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it is investigating the death of a suspect in custody.

The family of Collins Okyere, also known as Nana Kwame Sarpong, are accusing the police of torturing him, after he died under mysterious circumstances while in the custody of the Kumasi Central Police on Saturday.

He was arrested for an alleged car snatching and armed robbery and was in custody for five days.

The Regional Police Command's Public Affairs Director, Jordan Quaye, says cell mates of Sarpong claimed he got into a fit and hit his head several times against the cell walls, and when they called for help, he was already unconscious and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Komfo Anokye Hospital.

Jordan Quaye said however, an autopsy result being awaited would be the best proof of cause of Sarpong's death, and advised the accusing family to wait for it.

Jordan Quaye said if the autopsy report indicates that the police were responsible, then those involved would be indicted and subjected to Police Service regulations and disciplinary codes.

He said Sarpong who was arrested together with accomplices had prior to his death, confessed to the crimes. On their arrest, they were identified by some of their victims, while one other member of the gang, is on the run after escaping with a gun shot wound.