The Ghana Police Service has taken into custody a woman and her son in connection with the alleged murder of a 36-year-old land agent and the attempted murder of his 15-year-old son at Nsawam-Aduakrom. The suspects, identified as Abigail Cheetham, 34, and her son Prince, are currently in police custody pending further investigation.
According to police sources, the incident occurred on Saturday, March 7, 2024, at the family home in Nsawam-Aduakrom. The deceased individuals were identified as Nicholas Cheetham, a land agent, and his stepson Richmond, 15. Preliminary investigations suggest that a dispute arose after the suspect allegedly discovered that her husband had fathered a child outside of marriage.
The matter reportedly was settled when Nicholas begged for forgiveness and provided Abigail with compensation, which included a plot of land and a significant amount of money.
However, Abigail allegedly planned Nicholas’s murder in secret. On Saturday, March 7, 2024, around 4 p.m., Nicholas handed GH¢30,000 to his wife for safekeeping until the next morning. Abigail informed Prince about her plan and mentioned the money.
Prince then contacted a friend to assist with the plan, and Abigail paid the friend GH¢8,000 from the money Nicholas had entrusted to her. That night around 12:30 a.m., Abigail allegedly had intercourse with Nicholas to ensure he slept soundly.
She then reportedly summoned Prince and his friend into the bedroom, where they allegedly assisted in killing Nicholas.
During the incident, Nicholas’s 15-year-old son, Richmond, reportedly heard a noise and peeked through the window, witnessing the assailants putting his father’s body into a rubber bag for disposal.
According to reports, as they walked out to dispose of the body, they realized Richmond had seen them. After disposing of Nicholas’s body, they attacked Richmond, broke his neck, and hit his head with a cement block until he lost consciousness. Believing Richmond had died, they left him near the compound to retrieve a polythene bag to carry and dispose of the body.
However, Richmond regained consciousness, ran to a neighbor’s house with head injuries, and recounted the events.
The neighbors informed the police, leading to Abigail’s and Prince’s arrests.
The Eastern Regional Police Command confirmed the arrests, stating, “We received a report early Sunday morning and moved in swiftly. Two suspects are in custody, and we are pursuing the third suspect. The survivor is receiving medical treatment.”
Police say investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and motive.
