The death of Wilberforce Appiah, a Sowutuom-based artiste, has tragically sparked discussions regarding the growing incidence of mob justice in the country.
Several media reports have followed the death of Wilberforce Appiah, known in music circles as Wyllbee.
Here is a timeline of what we know so far:
Visit to his alleged girlfriend
According to Obrempong Kwaku Asiamah, a relative of the deceased, Wilberforce Appiah moved from Accra to Abuakwa-Tanoso in the Ashanti Region, carrying his clothes and belongings, purportedly to visit his girlfriend, identified as Nana Yaa.
The girlfriend is reportedly married and living with her in-laws in the same compound, with her husband residing overseas.
Accused of being a thief
On July 5, the deceased was accused of theft by a relative of his girlfriend when he stepped out around 1 a.m. to urinate in the compound where he was staying. The deceased failed to provide an answer when questioned about his identity.
In an attempt to flee for his life, he scaled the wall of the compound, causing a mob to chase after and attack him. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead after his lynching.
Husband of Wyllbee’s alleged girlfriend speaks
In a recorded interaction shared on social media by Edhub, the husband, identified as Kingsley, insisted that the deceased was a thief who wanted to harm his wife and their son.
He further stated that reports of his wife having an affair with the deceased are completely false.
“My mother told me she was sleeping with my son when she heard someone break down the first gate and make their way into the house. She asked who was there, and the person wielding a big stone started banging it against the door while shouting at them to open the door amidst threats to kill them.
“That narrative cannot be true because I was in Ghana last year, and my wife always had a chamber pot in her room because she didn’t want to go out at night to urinate. I even teased her about keeping a chamber pot in the room,” he emphasized.
Family refutes claim
The family of Wilberforce Appiah has refuted claims that the deceased was a thief. According to the family, their son only travelled to visit his girlfriend but tragically lost his life. They are seeking justice and hoping all persons involved will be arrested.
No arrests have been made so far.
source: Ghana Web