A-53-year-old car dealer has died in police custody under mysterious circumstances with the family accusing the Madina police of dereliction of duty.

Mr. Joe Tuffour was arrested by the Madina Police on Good Friday over a car deal that went bad.

According to family members, the deceased was denied bail and was kept in police custody for four days, even when it was apparent he was not feeling too well.

He died on Wednesday but exactly where he died has been a subject of controversy.

Family of the deceased told Joy News' Paa Kwesi Asare that inmates alerted the police that Joe Tuffuor was dying but the officers on duty failed to heed to the calls.

It was only after he died that he was picked and sent to the hospital.

Joy News has information suggesting the victim was declared "clinically dead" on arrival at the police Hospital, where he was later rushed to.

A sister to the deceased person told Joy News that his brother was not even covered after he was stripped half-naked, when he was put into cells, adding that his clothes were handed over to the family.

But the Madina Police have dismissed allegation the suspect died in cells.

Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Owusu Bempah said the suspect only collapsed in cells and was rushed to the hospital.

He said because he collapsed, it was difficult for them to wear his clothes for him.

According to him, personnel on duty usually paid "hourly visits" to inmates of the cells to find out if everything was right with them, adding that it was therefore not true that his men derelict their responsibilities.

He also denied allegations they failed to grant him bail. He explained that the suspect was arrested on Good Friday, which was a holiday. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which were subsequently holidays, the police could not have granted the suspect bail. He was however, sent to court on Tuesday and brought back into custody until the sad incident happened on Wednesday.

The controversy, notwithstanding, he said they have begun investigating the matter and would be "surprised" if the suspect was deemed to have died in their custody.