Chief, assemblyman allegedly murder and bury 24-year-old man secretly

Police have begun investigations into the death of a Fulani man alleged to have been murdered and buried secretly at Tichangu village in Chereponi in the North East Region.

The deceased Hardi Belko is suspected to have been killed in April 2021 by the chief of the village Saibu Abubakari and the assemblyman for the area for being a thief.

The 24-year-old man is said to have absconded after stealing a mobile phone and a hunting gun.

The father of the deceased, Hadi Monya, reportedly paid GH¢3000 to the suspects Chief Abubakari and the Assemblyman for the stolen items.

But checks by theghanareport.com revealed the 24-year-old was later arrested by the chief and elders of the village.

The father of the deceased is said to have followed up to the chief’s palace on several occasions for his son’s release, but he was turned away.

He was also barred from revisiting the palace.

Mr Monya, for fear of his life and other family members, heeded the order.

Our checks reveal that he was later invited by the chief, assemblyman and elders to pay GH¢500 to purchase items to purify the village.

“I wasn’t told why they wanted to do the purification. I also couldn’t get the GH¢500 as requested, but I managed to get only GH¢300. I was warned not to talk to anyone about the whereabouts of my son or else I will be killed,” Mr Monya said told our source.

Theghanareport.com also spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwadwo Antwi Tabi, who confirmed that the said allegations had indeed been brought before his office.

“About two months ago that we had that report. He is believed to have been killed by the chief of the village and the assemblyman, but the police are working on locating the said burial place,” DCOP confirmed.

On receipt of the information, DCOP Tabi said the police invited the chief and the assemblyman, but unfortunately, his work schedule prevented him from interrogating the suspects.

In his absence, he said, the Deputy Regional Commander at Chereponi spoke to the chief, but he denied knowledge of the issue.

“The chief had initially gone to the Regional Commander to inform him that somebody got involved in a robbery, and he doesn’t know why he has been invited. He didn’t tell the Regional Commander the truth, so the commander was unaware of the alleged murder and burial.

“The chief came to deny, but the assemblyman corroborated the story of the boy’s father who is alleging that his son had been murdered. According to the assemblyman, he also went to see the boy tied in the chief’s house, but he doesn’t know what happened to him after,” DCOP Tadi explained.

He said the suspects are currently on police enquiry bail and would soon be invited for further investigations.

If found culpable, the duo will be processed for court.

Once the burial place is established, the police would be able to confirm if the body is indeed that of the said Hardi Belko and establish if any harm had been caused to the body, leading to his death.

He assured that the police were working tirelessly to reveal the circumstances leading to the alleged murder.