Five prisoners have appeared before the Half-Assini District Magistrate Court in the Western Region for beating a fellow inmate to death after he stepped on them during their sleep.

They are Mathias Armakah, 19, Vulcanizer, John Cudjoe 32, Palm Wine Tapper, Kofi Anlimah, 20 Mason, Nicholas Atsu 27 and KojoOfori, 22 both Fishermen.

Their pleas were not taken and they would reappear in court on 27 April 2017. 

Prosecuting, Police General Sergeant Richard Amoah, told the court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu that at 0905 hours on March 26 this year, the deceased aged 48, from Ekpu near Half-Assini, was arrested over an allegation of theft.

 He said the deceased who was detained, shared the cells with the accused persons and that on March 27, the deceased was alleged to have been scared of some images he saw in the cells.

The Prosecution said, as a result, Boah paced up and down the cells and in the process stepped on the accused persons who were sleeping on the floor.

 He said at about 1600 hours the next day, Boah attempted to forcefully remove the Water Closet (WC) seat to enable him open the door leading to the cells so that he could go and swim in the sea since he said he was feeling some burning sensation on his body.

 He said at this point the accused persons in a bid to stop him from destroying the water Closet assaulted him.

 The prosecution said hours later, the deceased was found lying on the floor motionless and was rushed to the Half-Assini Government Hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead.