The Ghana police service says investigations into the death of one Shadrach Arloo at the West Hills Mall in Accra showed that the deceased died as a result of Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
A release signed by the director of police public affairs directorate, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, explained that a post-mortem conducted on the deceased by pathologists in the present of the family and lawyers revealed that he swallowed eight bags of cannabis that lead to his death.
The Investigation processes
The release noted that the Police, on January 30, 2023, begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shadrach Arloo at the West Hills Mall in Accra.
It said the Police issued a press statement on the same day, which notified the public that investigations into the matter had commenced.
As part of the investigations, the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) contacted a sister of the deceased, Perpetual Didier, who had alleged in a viral video, that her brother’s death was caused by a Police Officer who had manhandled him at the West Hills Mall.
The released explained that initial police investigations led to the arrest of a private security guard at the West Hills Mall, Osei Kwame Boafo, who was alleged to have used a taser on the deceased during his arrest.
Police said caution statements taken from witnesses at the scene of the incident, including some private security guards at the mall, and the arresting Police officer, revealed that the deceased had resisted arrest by the Police officer who was being assisted by the private security guards.
Further narrative of the events, as gathered by the Police, indicated that during the course of the arrest, the deceased pulled out a substance from his bag, which he quickly swallowed before anyone could stop him.
He became unconscious shortly afterwards and was taken to the Sonotech Clinic for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Medical Examination
As part of the investigation process, the Police Pathologist on February 3, held a meeting with interested parties in the case to explain the post-mortem examination to them.
Present from the deceased side were MPs for Jomoro, Ellembele and Madina, Dorcas Toffey, Kofi Armah Buah, and Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu.
Others present included Amo Blay, Ama Cobbina and Alfred Osei Boafo was also present for the accused person, Osei Kwame Boafo.
The release again noted that the parties were given the option to have the post-mortem examination conducted by a pathologist of their choice, but they all agreed that the Police Pathologist should conduct the examination.
The post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased’s body in the presence of Alfred Boafo, father of the accused, a Pathologist from the Ga East Municipal Hospital, representing the accused, MP for Madina and council for the deceased, Francis Xavier Sosu, Louis Melabah Edeafor, Isaac Anim Anno, father of the deceased and Anna Cobbina sister of the deceased.
The pathologist gave the verbal cause of death as Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
He also retrieved from the throat of the deceased, eight (8) zipped bags containing dry leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs tied in a piece of black polythene.
The retrieved suspected narcotic substances tested positive for cannabis when submitted for forensic examination, in the presence of all the interested parties.
Next line of Action
ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi said in view of the outcome of the post-mortem examination, the case docket is being forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice to determine further Police action.
The Police insisted that all interested parties were involved in the investigation process from the very beginning of the incident.
It noted with regret and great dismay therefore that people who had all the information on the matter, would behave as though they had no idea of actions that were being taken by the Police in respect of the case.
The police therefore urged the public to exercise restraint and patience with matters that are under Police investigation in order not to worsen the pain of those who are directly affected by such incidents.
By Peter Quao Adattor
