The police in the Western Region have denied reports that the officer who committed suicide was part of the four persons being investigated for theft at the Osagyefo Power Barge at Efassu near Half-Assini.
Marine Police officer Sergeant Fuseini Mohammed was on duty at the Barge Sunday with one other when he allegedly shot himself dead with his AK47 riffle. This was after he sent his colleague to buy him a razor blade.
A handwritten note found on him read: “I cannot face this disgrace about something I know nothing about”. The note had three numbers, including that of his wife.
Reports emerged Monday that the deceased was one of the four persons recently accused of stealing cables, fridges and other valuables from the Barge, but the Police say that cannot be accurate.
Western Regional Police Public Relations officer, DSP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, told 3news.com that it is unclear what caused Sgt Mohammed to take his life as she ruled out reports that he was being investigated for theft.
“Those who were involved [in the theft] are currently on interdiction,” she said, noting that “he [Sgt Mohammed] is not part of those who were involved in that stealing at the Osagye Barge”.
She grounded her statement on the fact that once an officer is interdicted, “you hand over all your police accoutrement; you don’t go to work because we are investigating your case and sometimes the idea is that when you’re post you might interfere with investigations”
DSP Adiku said if Sgt Mohammed was a part of the officers in the theft case, which is now before the Attorney General’s officer, he would not have been assigned to go on duty on Sunday.
“As at now we don’t really know what made him take his life. Police is investigating that aspect,” she told 3news.com.
Meanwhile, she said the body has been deposited at the Police Hospital for autopsy to be conducted.
The 125 MW Osagyefo barge is a mounted gas turbine electric power generating station located at Effasu in the Western Region of Ghana. The 77 metre long barge is designed to burn either natural gas or diesel fuel.
By Ewurama Smith|3news.com|Ghana