Anlo Suspect Dies In Cells ·After Gari Soaking

THERE HAS been another twist to the Anlo chieftaincy brouhaha as one of the eight suspects to appear before a Ho magistrate court yesterday collapsed and died while in custody at the Ho central police station, where the suspects were being kept.

Israel Cobblah Amenumeh, 32, a physically challenged person, was alleged to have complained of weakness. His cellmates, who suspected that he was hungry, fed him with soaked gari.

After taking the soaked gari, Israel allegedly started panting heavily and vomited. To the amazement of his colleagues, he subsequently collapsed and died on the spot.

Meanwhile, the remaining seven suspects appeared before the Ho magistrate court yesterday and were remanded in prison custody.
They were Francis Adzra, Yaw Agbemakor, Kpodo Prince Wisdom, Kwaw Galley, Atsu Afedo, Aaron Agbota and John Kuwornu Seforga.

Their pleas were not taken and they would reappear on November 22, 2007.

Prosecution told the court, presided over by David P.W. Amedior that on November 1, this year, a group calling itself the Anlo Youth, in red bands, gathered at the Awoamefia shrine at Anloga amidst drumming and dancing to prevent the installation of Torgbui Sri III as Awomefia of the Anlo state.

Their refusal to allow the elders to perform the necessary rites to pave way for Torgbui Sri's installation resulted in a clash with the police, leading to the death of three persons.

A policeman, kidnapped by the irate youth was later found murdered and thrown into the Keta lagoon.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police Glabu said investigations led to the arrest of the suspects who were charged accordingly.

By James S. A. Kwashie