The family of a 41-year-old trader, Joyce Akua Ampongmaa, is reeling in agony and demanding swift justice after she was brutally murdered by a fetish priest under the guise of receiving spiritual healing.
The deceased, a mother of three who traded at Kasoa in the Awutu Senya West District, had reportedly sought the assistance of the fetish priest, identified as Okomfo Hlolary, to address a recurring spiritual affliction.
Her family, who hail originally from Akyem Ayirebi in the Eastern Region, are now calling for the full rigours of the law to be applied to the suspect, who allegedly confessed to decapitating the victim for ritualistic purposes.
According to the victim’s father, Kweku Yeboah, his daughter’s connection to the priest began several months ago when she discovered “juju” (charms) planted in front of her store, which had caused her significant physical pain in her leg.
He told Adom News Central Regional Correspondent Kofi Adjei that Okomfo Hlolary had successfully “healed” her during that initial encounter, leading the family to trust him when she returned for further assistance.
However, the recent visit ended in a gruesome display of violence. Mr. Yeboah described the chilling moment of the attack, recounting that the suspect claimed to have been possessed after his brother gave him a human hand while they were following Joyce into the bush to give her some herbs.
The suspect then pulled out a cutlass and beheaded Joyce while she was walking in front of them.
Following the murder, the suspect reportedly claimed to have transported the victim’s head and other body parts to his hometown in the Volta Region, where he alleged they were buried by his grandfather.
Police have launched an intensive investigation into the claims. Officers are currently in the process of coordinating with authorities in the Volta Region to identify the burial site and exhume the remains.
For the family, the discovery of the body parts is the only step toward providing Joyce with a dignified burial.
The victim’s mother and sister, visibly distraught, were unable to contain their grief as they spoke to the media, describing Joyce as the pillar of their family.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Awutu Bentum community, where residents are calling for a crackdown on unlicensed spiritualists and traditional healers operating in the area.
The suspect remains in police custody as he assists with investigations. The family has vowed to monitor the case closely, insisting that the law must ensure such a “barbaric act of ritual violence” does not go unpunished.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com