A man from Botingli, a farming community in the Mion district of the northern region, who allegedly clobbered his wife to death last week is still a free man due in large measure to an elaborate plan hatched by his family to conceal the crime from authorities.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Afa Tijani leads congregational prayers in the community.
His victim, whose name was given only as Arishitu, was reportedly aged about 40, and left behind six children. She was reportedly hit over the head with a piece of wood by her husband who reportedly flew into a rage over a misunderstanding between the deceased and his second wife.
Ms. Arishitu died yesterday at the Tamale Teaching hospital where her family said she had been on admission since the incident. She was hurriedly buried at Chazene community at the request of her husband’s family.
Before the burial, the rumors were rife that there was bad blood between the deceased and the second wife which ultimately culminated in a standoff. Despite the gruesome murder, some family members of the deceased would rather the husband face divine wrath than be prosecuted in a court of law.
However, after the burial which took place Tuesday morning, details emerged that the misunderstanding was between the deceased and her sister in law.
Zaa news sources in the community say prior to killing his wife the suspect had subjected her to several ordeals. But for the welfare of her children, the deceased would have sought a divorce from her husband, but her family pleaded with her to stay in the marriage.
Worried community members have since been grumbling about the crime because of the high level of misogyny in Ghanaian society. They want the matter to be thoroughly investigated and not swept under carpet.