A criminologist with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Jones Opoku is alarmed by the habitual attitude of Ghanaians resorting to lynching suspected criminals without allowing the law to take its course.
His comment follows the lynching of Sowutuom-based artiste, Wilberforce Appiah, otherwise known as ‘Wyllbee’ at Tanoso in the Ashanti region.
The budding musician is alleged to have died after a mob accused him of theft and attacked him when he stepped out of the home of his girlfriend.
Wilberforce Appiah, known in showbiz as ‘Wyllbee’ had traveled from his base in Accra to Kumasi for a couple of radio promotions.
Events leading to his lynching at the Tanoso suburb of Kumasi are unclear.
Some accounts suggest he had visited his girlfriend, Nana Yaa who is said to be married, when at dawn while out of the house was accused of being a thief.
Wyllbee was attacked in the neighborhood and died shortly after he was rushed to the hospital.
Abena Asana, who claims to be the mother-in-law of Nana Yaa, the alleged girlfriend, gives an account of how the Wyllbee was accused and eventually lynched.
“I was asleep when I suddenly heard a sound and woke up. I didn’t see anyone initially. Later I heard my daughter in-law screaming for help. I also joined in the calls. Then, I saw him scale the wall here. He jumped but unfortunately fell into the gutter. I didn’t see him again. Later, I overheard a noise in front of the house. I went out and the people who had brought him said this is the thief that came into your house. I would be a liar if I know the person who beat him,” she recounted.
But the family of the deceased, Obrempon Kwaku Asiamah, refutes claims of their relative being a thief.
“How can a thief move from Accra to Tanoso with his clothes and barge into your room and rape you? We retrieved his clothes and other belongings from your home, so how is he a thief?” he said.
Wyllbee’s demise is one of many mob attacks in the country including the lynching of a military officer, Major Mahama in 2017.
Criminologist, Dr. Jones Opoku is worried about unrelenting posture of Ghanaians over lynching suspected criminals.
He believes delays in justice delivery are fueling the unabated attitude.
“Ghanaians need to learn that you cannot attack someone because you suspect them to be criminals. People are motivated also because the police is unable to fish them out when they attack someone in a large group. Police must be able to profile perpetrators of such heinous act,” he said.
Meanwhile, the lady is in police custody at Abuakwa for further investigation.