Ashanti Region: Man “Accidentally” Kills Three Siblings

State prosecutors have been detailing how three young siblings lost their lives after being ‘accidentally’ exposed to bedbug fumigation chemicals at their Asawase Railways home located in the Asokore Mampong Municipality.

A biological brother of the victims’ father, Anthony Frans, has been provisionally charged with murder and granted bail of GHC20,000 with two sureties by the Asokore Mampong District Court.

The prosecution told Samuel Buabin Quansah’s court that the suspect allegedly applied bedbug chemical Baktoxin Fumigation tablets, commonly known as ‘bomb,’ on 28 December 2023, to disinfect the house where the children were spending the holidays.

The family discovered 11-year-old Mary Magdelene Afua Frans and Christian Nana Benin Jacob Frans lying unconscious the next day, prompting immediate medical attention. They were, however, pronounced dead upon arrival at the Manhyia Government Hospital.

During proceedings at the Asokore Mampong District Court on Tuesday (9 January), it was revealed that the elder sister, Judith Ekua Frans, who was referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, has also passed away, while their grandmother, Akua Gyaabena, 66, remains hospitalised.

The prosecution, after reading the facts of the case, sought to remand the suspect into police custody for further investigation, but the court denied the request after a strong defence from the accused person’s counsel.

The case has been adjourned to January 23, 2023. His plea was not taken by the court.

Reporting by Jonathan Ofori in the Ashanti Region