In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Sokoban-Apaaso near Kumasi, details have emerged about a househelp who allegedly murdered his employer.
According to court documents, the accused, John Allister, was hired just a day after applying for the position through an employment agency based in Accra. Shockingly, the murder occurred only six days after he began working at the victim’s residence.
John Allister submitted his job application on September 4, 2023, and commenced work the very next day. His duties included assisting the woman he would later be accused of murdering in Kumasi.
On September 11, 2023, around 11 a.m., a gruesome incident unfolded. Moments after the deceased had prepared a meal of fufu, which she shared with the accused, she was brutally attacked.
She suffered a stab wound to the stomach and was repeatedly struck on the head and face with a club. The absence of the victim’s 11-year-old daughter, who was at school at the time, provided the accused with an opportunity.
After committing this heinous act, John Allister allegedly contacted two other individuals, James Anokye and a person named Collins, and they visited the deceased’s home. Together, they absconded with a KIA Sportage vehicle bearing registration GS 307-21, a Samsung mobile phone, rice, cooking oil, and various other valuable items.
The perpetrators managed to escape to Accra, where they made arrangements to sell the stolen vehicle to a fourth accomplice named Biggy, who is currently at large. Biggy, in turn, planned to sell the vehicle to Christian Obu, a fifth accomplice who is also evading authorities.
John Allister, after successfully selling his late employer’s KIA Sportage car, used some of the proceeds to purchase a Toyota Vitz car registered as GS 3107-23.
As law enforcement agencies pursued the third, fourth, and fifth accomplices, James Anokye, the second accused person, abandoned the KIA Sportage vehicle at Oyibi Police Station and fled.
The discovery of the late Stella Osei’s body, also known as Princess Afua Ahenkan, was made by the Crime Scene Management team in the garage of her Apaaso residence following a report to the police. A blood-stained club, believed to have been the murder weapon, was also recovered at the crime scene on September 12, 2023.
In an intelligence-led operation, the police arrested the first and second accused persons in their hideouts in Accra on September 14, 2023. They were subsequently transported to Kumasi to face trial.
During their initial court appearance, Allister John, aged 22, and his accomplice, James Anokye, aged 27, stood before the Asokore Mampong District Court. Allister John, the primary suspect, surprised the court by acknowledging responsibility for the murder of 35-year-old Stella Osei, also known as Princess Afua Ahenkan.
Although the court did not immediately address the accused persons’ pleas, the main suspect, John Allister, expressed his remorse by raising his hand and requesting leniency from the court. He even went as far as asking for the release of the second accused person, James Anokye, whom he claimed had no involvement in the crime.
However, ASP Stephen Ofori, leading the prosecution, emphasized that due process would be followed during the trial, signaling that justice would be sought for the victim, Stella Osei.
“This is a case of murder and the due process must be followed. Even though he has told the court that he admits whatever happened, the due process must be followed,” he told journalists.
A father-in-law to the deceased, Kofi Yeboah, who witnessed proceedings in court says he was saddened to hear five persons were involved in the murder.
According to him, the husband of the deceased who is based in the United Kingdom, has been crying all day over the callous murder of his wife.