By Barbara Kumah
Committal proceedings in the case involving the alleged murder of a senior lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), began on Tuesday, June 10, at the District Court in Adabraka.
The suspect, Joshua Kerry Arthur, a 33-year-old artist, has been provisionally charged with the murder of Professor Amedeker Mawuadem, 71, which reportedly occurred on May 21 at the lecturer’s residence in Gyahadze, a suburb of Winneba in the Central Region.
During Tuesday’s hearing before Magistrate Nana Asoh-Omenyo, the court did not take Arthur’s plea. He was remanded into police custody and is expected to reappear on June 23 for the continuation of the committal process.
According to the prosecution, Professor Mawuadem lived alone in a two-bedroom house in Gyahadze. On May 21 at approximately 4:48am, the accused allegedly scaled the wall of the property to gain access to the house. He is said to have hidden for some time before attacking and killing the professor around 7:30am, subsequently burying the body on the premises.
The suspect is reported to have remained in the house after the act, packing several of the deceased’s belongings, including a 50-inch TCL television and a black bag containing personal effects, into a Toyota Fortuner believed to belong to the victim. He allegedly waited for an opportune moment before fleeing with the stolen items.
According to prosecution, a colleague of the late professor reported his disappearance to the police. Officers who visited the residence observed the presence of a stranger and subsequently arrested Arthur, who had hidden behind a guava tree in the compound.
Further inspection of the property revealed bloodstains and disturbed soil, prompting a search that led to the discovery of the professor’s body. It was reportedly wrapped in a blue academic gown and found wearing a brown shirt and black shorts with a yellow nylon rope threaded through the belt loops. The body was lying in a supine position.
Professor Mawuadem was declared dead upon arrival at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba. His remains have since been transferred to the Police Hospital morgue in Accra for preservation and autopsy.
Police investigations are ongoing, and the next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
