Charred body, bloodied pestle, and cash trail: CID unravels Immigration Officer’s murder

The prime suspect in the murder of Ghana Immigration Service officer Assistant Inspector Stephen King Amoah is scheduled to reappear before the Adabraka District Court on August 8, 2025, as police intensify investigations into the gruesome killing that has shocked the nation.

At a press briefing in Accra, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, detailed how the case unfolded following a missing person report filed on July 4.

Mr Amoah, affectionately known as Otumfuo Nana, was last seen on the night of July 3, after leaving his residence at Ashongman Estate to meet one Bright Aweh, also known as Robert or Highest Bright. The meeting was arranged following the receipt of WhatsApp images showing bundles of cash, allegedly to settle an outstanding debt.

According to the police, Aweh claimed he handed the deceased GH¢500,000, instructing him to use part to pay off debts and hold the rest. However, inconsistencies in Aweh’s account triggered suspicion. He was initially charged with kidnapping and arraigned before the Kwabenya Circuit Court on July 8.

The case took a grim turn the next day, when a severely burnt body was discovered in a gutter near the GBC Satellite, opposite Comet Estate in Accra. Despite the extent of the burns, the family identified the remains as those of Mr Amoah. Forensic investigations later confirmed the presence of human blood on multiple items retrieved from the suspect’s residence and nearby areas, including a bloodied fufu pestle wrapped in polythene and stained camouflage fabric.

On July 24, police secured a court warrant to search a room in Aweh’s house, where additional blood samples were collected. DNA samples from the deceased’s mother and son are being used to confirm the identity of the remains. Aweh was subsequently rearrested and formally charged with murder. He is currently on remand as police follow new leads and continue efforts to arrest possible accomplices.

Family members, dressed in red and black with inscriptions demanding “Justice for Stephen King Amoah”, attended the earlier court session and expressed frustration during the proceedings. A close friend of the deceased, Mr Gamel Abubakar, commended the police for their diligence, stating, “We are hopeful that justice will be served.”

The Ghana Police Service has assured the public that no effort will be spared in bringing all those responsible to justice.