Detainee commits suicide in cells

The deceased, whose name was given as Banjamin Teye, was said to have
hanged himself at about 5pm on Monday, using his singlet which he tied to a metal bar in the cell.

His lifeless body was discovered the next day, Tuesday, and has reportedly been deposited at the Wassa Akropong Hospital morgue.

The Bogoso police station officer, Inspector Foster Berko, confirmed the incident to journalists in an interview.

He noted that members of the Tarkwa-Bremang Unit Committee came to the police station with the deceased and his wife, Hannah Teye, 27, a seamstress, who reported that the deceased had run away with her Kia Astra taxi.

Inspector Berko told journalists that the wife and the deceased were not properly married, although they lived together with their four-year-old baby.

He indicated that the couple returned from Togo three years ago and Hannah bought the Kia Astra taxi with money she earned while working in Togo.

“Hannah allowed the deceased to operate the taxi, because he was unemployed, to enable him make money to take care of the family.”

He stated, “But the deceased, under the pretext of visiting his family at Somanya, run away with the vehicle for three years, without communicating with the wife.”

Inspector Berko indicated that all efforts made by Hannah to get in touch with the deceased proved futile.

“However, about a week ago, the woman got the contact address of the deceased and intentionally informed him that their baby was very sick.”

The station officer said that upon hearing the news, the deceased promptly returned home, whereupon Hannah and the Unit Committee members arrested him and took him to the police station.

Inspector Berko said the police decided to detain the deceased to enable them investigate the matter thoroughly.

He said Teye was allowed to have his singlet and boxer shorts on because of the cold weather, adding that even though he was closely watched by some police officers, he managed to hang himself.