Jirapa Dubai hotel owner’s death: Akufo-Addo vows to seek justice

President Akufo-Addo has assured the people of Jirapa in the Upper West Region that he will ensure justice is served in the trial of those accused of killing Eric Johnson, the proprietor of the Royal Cosy Hills Hotel.

Eric Johnson was found dead at his house on Sunday, February 11, with his body covered in deep wounds. The assailant(s) allegedly utilized a ladder to get access to his room and then entered using a Mastercard.

Read also:Combating Corruption : Dr. Bawumia says he’s committed

The last funeral rites, held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Nayiri Park in Jirapa, included the Speaker of Parliament, Minister of State at the Office of the President, clergy, family members, Chiefs, and well-wishers.

In a speech delivered on President Akufo-Addo’s behalf by the Minister of State in the Office of the President, Ambrose Dery, he stated that he will guarantee that the perpetrators of the crime face the full rigors of the law.

“Jesus said give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. In Caesar’s world, we believe that justice would be done in the case of the republic verses the suspects,” he said on June 1.

On February 28, the Wa District Court ordered the seven suspects detained in connection with Eric Johnson’s gruesome murder to be remanded in police custody.

Presided over by Mr Maxwell Maxibrain Titriku, the court ordered the suspects to return in two weeks as investigations continued.

Six of the accused will be held in the custody of the Wa Police, while the main suspect, Elyasah Mahama, will remain at the Wa Central Prison.

The accused, including hotel staffers Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Belinda Miller, and Michael Klugey, were caught on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Additionally, Favour Nuobe and Kweku Kombata, both Royal Cosy Hills Hotel staff, were detained on Monday, February 12, 2024.

Mr Mahama, the primary suspect, was reportedly arrested at a hideout in Takoradi and flown to Wa on a commercial airplane for questioning.

Mr Mahama, the hotel’s former human resources officer, was fired by Mr Eric Johnson on Thursday, February 8, 2024, just three days before his murder.