Chief Vows To Eliminate Family

A CAPE COAST Circuit Court on Tuesday arraigned Nana Egyir VIII, Chief of Egyirkrom near Abura Dunkwa for threatening to kill his 30-year-old wife, Elizabeth Owusu and four children.

He also threatened to commit suicide after the act.
The 50-year-old chief's threat came after he had subjected his 70-year-old mother-in-law, Maame Mansa and wife to severe beatings.

He pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge and was granted a bail of GH¢500 to reappear on January 30, 2008.

Chief Inspector Hope Azasoo told the court, presided over by Mr. Richard Asiedu Badu that on July 15, 2007, Nana Egyir received a message from his mother-in-law, warning him not to visit her house where his wife and children were residing, otherwise she would hire people to kill him.

He said Nana Egyir, following the warning, went to his mother-in-law's residence but was insulted by both the mother-in-law and his wife upon arrival.

Inspector Azasoo said Nana Egyir fought the two women and in the process issued the threat to kill his wife and four children and commit suicide afterwards.

Chief Inspector Azasoo mentioned that there had been an existing feud between the chief on one hand, and his wife and mother-in-law on the other, which perhaps had caused him to develop hatred for them and the children.

Maame Mansa later reported the incident to the Abura Dunkwa Police while Nana Egyir also reported it to the Domestic Violence and Victims' Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Police Service in Cape Coast.

The presiding judge stated that because of the children he could not convict the chief and therefore advised him (chief) to settle the case.

Mr. Asiedu Badu as well advised him that as a chief there was the need for him to always use the right language instead of such abusive ones, adding that he was a role model in the area, hence the need for him to do the right thing for the younger ones to emulate. From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast