Appeals to President, IGP and Interior Minister for Independent Probe
Investigative Desk Report
The Asafoatse of Obom in the Greater Accra Region, Prince Nii Amartey, has accused officers from the Kasoa Divisional Police Command of subjecting him to what he describes as unlawful arrest, brutal assault, torture and gross violations of his fundamental human rights after he was allegedly linked to a 15-year-old murder case.
According to Prince Nii Amartey, the assault left him unconscious on several occasions, hospitalized, and suffering injuries to his ribs, eyes and other parts of his body.
Speaking to the media team on Monday, July 6, 2026, the traditional leader recounted what he described as a terrifying ordeal that began on Friday, July 3, 2026.
He explained that he owns and operates a block factory at Obom. On that day, he said he received a telephone call from his workers informing him that some prospective customers had arrived at the factory seeking to purchase about 3,000 building blocks and wished to meet him personally.
“I immediately left what I was doing and rushed to the factory,” he said.
Upon his arrival, however, he said that the supposed customers identified themselves as plain-clothed police officers from the Kasoa Divisional Police Command.
“One of them placed his hand on my shoulder and told me they had been sent to arrest me. I asked why I was being arrested, but they said they were only messengers and that I would be told the reason when we got to the police station.”
Prince Nii Amartey said he reluctantly accompanied the officers to the Kasoa Divisional Police Headquarters.
Murder Allegation
According to him, after being taken before the Divisional Commander, he was referred to the Crime Officer, who allegedly informed him that he had been implicated in a murder case dating back approximately 15 years.
He claimed the officers accused him of selling land at Adeiso, killing the buyer, taking the money and disappearing.
Prince Nii Amartey firmly denied the allegation.
“I told them I know absolutely nothing about the accusation. I was born and raised in Obom. I have lived here all my life. I have never owned land at Adeiso, never sold land there and have never been involved in any murder.”
He said he repeatedly demanded evidence linking him to the alleged offence but claimed none was produced.
Alleged Torture
Prince Nii Amartey alleged that after maintaining his innocence, the Crime Officer instructed subordinate officers to assault him.
According to him, officers handcuffed him, took him behind the police station, suspended him from a mango tree and beat him for approximately 30 minutes. ‘ The seized my cell phones and an amount of GHC,7,000 cedis being sales from the blocks I sold earlier in the day and the money and the mobile phones are still in the possession of the Police officers
He stated that he was struck with sticks, ropes, the blunt side of cutlasses and slapped repeatedly.
“They beat my ribs with sticks, hit my back with the middle part of cutlasses, slapped my face repeatedly and struck my head. I screamed that I was innocent and begged them not to kill me.”
He further indicated that after the first assault, he was returned to the Crime Officer’s office where he again denied any involvement in the alleged murder.
According to him, the Crime Officer allegedly ordered officers to “wash him”, an expression he said he did not understand till date .
He claimed officers then escorted him into a dark room where he was again beaten with sticks, metal objects and their bare hands.
Assault in Bush
Prince Nii Amartey further alleged that at about 11 pm that day getting to midnight officers later informed him they were taking him to Adeiso. On their way they first took him to his house and ransacked the entire house in search of something they needed as evidence but got nothing to implicate him.
From the house they transported him to an isolated bush area and into an uncompleted building where another assault allegedly occurred.
He said that while enroute, someone telephoned him and advised him to “say your last prayers because you may not return alive.”
According to him, his cries for help attracted nearby residents who questioned why the police were allegedly assaulting a suspect in such a remote location instead of following lawful investigative procedures.
He said that the officers told the residents he was a thief.
“The people challenged the officers, asking why they had brought an alleged thief into the bush rather than keeping him at the police station and processing him through the courts. One officer allegedly remarked that the people had spoiled their plan, after which they decided to leave.”
Prince Nii Amartey further said that on the return journey the officers instructed him to run away, an instruction he said he refused.
“They also asked me to lead them on our way out of the bush , but I refused because I had done nothing wrong and didn’t know their plan at that moment .”
When Prince Amartey’s Family got to know about his arrest they went to the Police station they demanded to see the family of the alleged deceased. The person the Police claimed was murdered 15 years ago for proof and also demanded to see the complainant of the case. Interesttingly, according to the family the Police could not provide any of them
Collapse and Hospitalisation
According to Prince Nii Amartey, he was later detained in police cells where he collapsed.
He said officers subsequently attempted to transport him to the Police Hospital but instead diverted him to a clinic in Kasoa following instructions allegedly issued by the Divisional Commander.
After receiving treatment, he said he was granted police enquiry bail.
He further indicated that after arriving home, he collapsed again and was rushed to the Ridge Hospital in Accra for emergency treatment before later receiving additional medical care at the Obom Polyclinic.
“As I speak, I cannot see properly. My eyes are swollen and shut, my ribs are hurting and I have wounds all over my body,” he said.
Appeal for Justice
Prince Nii Amartey has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister for the Interior and the President of Ghana to institute an independent investigation into the incident.
“I am pleading with the authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that anybody found responsible is brought to justice.”
LAND THEFT
Prince Nii Amartey believes the incident is linked to a group of land theft syndicate who found him to be the stumbling block stopping them from stealing Obom land.
