45-year-old ex-convict arrested over alleged rape and murder of wife's 17-year-old niece

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict over the alleged murder of his wife's niece, aged 17, at Agona Nkwanta in the Western Region.

The suspect, identified as Kudjo Ntow, is said to have sealed the mouth of the victim, Olivia Kwofie, and sexually assaulted her on Monday, June 1.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the police said the suspect fled and left the victim, who was still alive.

"Preliminary Police investigations revealed that on 01 June 2026 at 0330 hrs one Samuel Kingsford Kwofie was on his way to his rubber plantation when he heard someone shouting for help around School B area close to the Fire Service Station at Agona Nkwanta.

"He approached the scene, and found victim Olivia Kwofie aged 17, sitting naked on the ground with both hands and legs tied with a rope," the statement read in part.

The passerby is said to have untied the victim and, while escorting her to the Police Station, the suspect attacked them from behind, hit the victim with a cement block, and fled.

"Police upon receipt of the information visited the scene and found victim lying in a pool of blood with multiple cuts on her face. Victim was rushed to the Agona Nkwanta Polyclinic for medical treatment but was later pronounced dead," the police said.

He was arrested on Tuesday, June 2, at his hideout in Nsuaem by the Regional Police Intelligence Team and the Agona Nkwanta Police.

"On 03 June 2026, the suspect was put before Appollo Circuit Court, Takoradi, and was remanded into prison custody to reappear on 17 June 2026," the police said.