The Ghana Police Service in Ada is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a young man at Elavanyor in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, following an alleged assault involving an elderly woman and her son. 

The deceased, Mark Kumado Apodei, popularly called Zidane, reportedly died shortly after an alleged altercation with Madam Allasan Sarpor, believed to be in her 60s, and her son, Bismark Ayiku Ocloo. 

Eyewitnesses alleged that the incident occurred after the deceased plucked leaves from a tree to wash his hands upon returning from assisting with funeral arrangements. 

Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Solomon Daitey Apodei, brother of the deceased, said the family had transported the body of a deceased relative from Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Bono Region to Elavanyor, with Zidane playing a key role in the process. 

He said the situation escalated when the elderly woman confronted the deceased over the plucking of the leaves. 

According to him, attempts by family members to resolve the issue were disrupted when the woman’s son allegedly attacked one of the mediators with a cement block, leading to a physical confrontation. 

Mr Apodei alleged that during the struggle, the elderly woman joined the fray under the impression of separating the two, but later it was suspected that she might have bitten the deceased. 

He said the deceased later sat briefly and attempted to wash his hands before collapsing. 

The victim was thus rushed to the Ada East District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. 

Mr Apodei added that marks resembling bite wounds were later observed on the arm of the deceased. 

Another eyewitness, Madam Harriet Apodei-Ofori, alleged that the woman’s son had earlier issued threats during the altercation and behaved aggressively even after the incident. 

 She claimed that after the confrontation, he was seen wielding a cutlass and threatening to attack anyone who attempted to intervene. 

Meanwhile, when contacted, Superintendent Lovelace Kofi Glago, Ada District Police Commander, told the GNA that the matter had been reported to the Ada District Police Command at Atortorkorpe and that both parties had been arrested and subsequently granted bail. 

He said the suspects also reported that the deceased’s family assaulted them when the elderly woman attempted to intervene in the fight. 

According to Superintendent Glago, police investigations were ongoing to establish the exact cause of death. 

“We cannot confirm at this stage whether the deceased was bitten or whether that caused the death. The body will be conveyed to the police mortuary for a pathologist to conduct a postmortem examination,” he said. 

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be re-arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.