A 48-year-old mason, Robert Benjamin Okyere, has been remanded into prison custody by the Asante Akropong Circuit Court for allegedly attempting to burn his family and property in Tanoso, located in the Kwadaso Municipality. Okyere pleaded not guilty to charges of causing harm and damage and is scheduled to reappear in court on November 7, presided over by Nana Adwoa Serwaa Dua-Adonteng.
Police Chief Inspector Ruth Gborson, representing the prosecution, informed the court that the complainant, Agnes Obour, a tailor in Tanoso, was Okyere’s girlfriend. In 2023, Obour requested financial assistance from Okyere to rent a room for their two grown children, as they could no longer share a single room. Okyere refused, leading Obour to deny him intimacy. Subsequently, he moved out to stay with another woman in the nearby community of Asuoyeboa.
On September 28 of this year, Obour approached Okyere to ask for money to support their children. During this encounter, Okyere became enraged and verbally assaulted Obour, calling her a “senseless, stupid, dirty, and foolish woman.”
According to Chief Inspector Gborson, Obour reported the incident to the Abuakwa police. However, when Okyere was invited for questioning, he failed to comply and instead went into hiding.
The situation escalated on October 5 at approximately 10:00 p.m. while Obour was praying in her room. She noticed the smell of petrol and smoke, prompting her to look out the back window, where she saw Okyere setting the room on fire.
Obour quickly called her children to escape, but they sustained minor injuries in the process and were rushed to the Abuakwa government hospital for treatment. Following the incident, a report was made to the police, leading to Okyere’s arrest.
In his caution statement, Okyere denied the charges against him. However, after further investigation, he was formally charged and brought before the court.
