Main suspect remanded; four others discharged in Konongo Odumase SHS murder

The prime suspect in the Konongo Odumase Senior High School (SHS) murder trial has again been remanded into police custody by the Konongo District Court.

The four other suspects who were also arrested for stabbing a first-year student have been discharged.

Emmanuel Osei Frimpong, a second-year student, is alleged to have killed Larhan Sam-una with a kitchen knife on Friday, November 5.

The deceased intervened to stop Frimpong from bullying another student, only for him to be killed in cold blood.

Sam-una bled profusely and died after he was rushed to the Konongo-Odumase Government Hospital.

The first accused, Emmanuel, has since been charged provisionally with murder, while four others were charged with abetment to commit a crime.

But explaining the reason for discharging the other suspects, the prosecution said the four juveniles would continue to be key witnesses in the matter as processes begin for the case to be transferred to a High Court.

The court presided over by Joyce Bamfo also directed the Ghana Education Service to re-integrate the four juveniles into the school system but the Headteacher of the Konongo-Odumase Senior High School, Dr Kwaku Baah, said the students would be relocated to different schools.

He believes this is in their best interest as they will feel safe and avoid stigmatization.

How did the murder occur?

Initial investigations disclosed that the students closed from prep at about 8:30 pm and went back to their various dormitories.

But these five suspects, who are all in form two, ganged up and decided to go to one of the houses to bully the first-year students.

They reportedly attacked one Kwame Manu first.

They turned their attention on Prince Amoako and attempted to force him away to molest him, but other first-year students rescued him from the suspects.

According to the police, this action infuriated Frimpong, who attempted to slap one of them, but the deceased stopped him.

Out of anger, Frimpong pulled a small kitchen knife that he had concealed and stabbed the deceased at the lower left ribs, leading to his death.

The other suspects who are now discharged are Akwasi Amoah Karikari alias Demon, Kwame Afrane Snr, Kwame Afrane Jnr, and Obed Agyei.