A Circuit Court in Cape Coast has discharged the Chief of Ekumfi Srafa and his brother who were accused of the murder of a policeman in an attempted robbery of the Chief’s filling station at Mankessim a year ago.

Residents suspected the plain-clothed officer, who was identified as Lance Corporal Kingsley Boahen, was shot by robbers who had earlier engaged police officers in a gun battle after they were dispatched to the Zen Filling Station where a robbery was taking place at around 4 am.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, placed a ¢10,000 bounty on the head of anyone who volunteered information leading to the arrest of persons who shot and killed the policeman.

After a preliminary investigation by the police, the owner of the filling, who happens to be the Chief of Ekumfi Srafa and his brother were arrested as prime suspects, put before the court and charged with murder.

The two spent weeks in cell before their lawyers were able to secure a bail for them.

In court on Friday, the chief, Nana Ockyer Korko Nyanku VII, and his brother were told by the presiding judge, James Kojo Buttah, that they were not connected to the policeman's death and thus have been discharged.

Lawyer for the Chief, Kwaku Benson, says his client has been visited with incalculable reputational damages by the police officers who initially handled the case.

He said had it not been the IGP and the Police CID headquarters appealed to, an innocent man (his client) would have been wrongfully incarcerated to have a second look at the case.

“We thank the IGP and the CID who listened to our plea that the regional investigative team then was erring in their investigation of the whole case and granted that the national headquarters took over the case to a proper to conduct a proper investigation including a ballistic test as well,“ he said.

He continued: “They were put in police custody, vilified, defamed even when investigations had not been completed. Police officers made statements to the effect that my clients and his brother committed the crime even when investigations had not been concluded. Apart from the emotional and psychological torture my client suffered, his businesses were the worst affected.”

He demanded that the said police officers who made defamatory statements against his clients should publicly apologize, or they would be compelled to take legal actions against them.

The Chief and businessman and his brother who went through the ordeal say a lot of damage has been done to their image and their reputation that could never be compensated for.

“Imagine the number of people who have been treated the same way we were treated but did not have the resources to fight for the right thing to do. Many are in jail as a result of something like this,” the chief said.

The Chief and businessman thanked his family members and all those who have been supportive while they went through their difficult moments.