A self-styled prophetess based in Suame has been remanded into police custody for allegedly masterminding the abduction and murder of Mr. Eric Obeng Darkwah, a respected traditional leader and former Headmaster of Dampong Senior High School, in what police describe as a deceptive spiritual gold ritual scheme.
Prophetess Elizabeth Darkwah, General Overseer of the King Solomon Universal Temple International at Suame Anomangye, is standing trial alongside Mubarak Mohammed, a parliamentary candidate for the All People’s Congress (APC). The duo appeared before the Kodie District Court in the Afigya Kwabre South Municipality on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. The case is presided over by Her Worship Madeline Thompson.
According to police prosecutors, Prophetess Darkwah lured Mr. Obeng Darkwah into a fraudulent spiritual consultation in 2024, claiming she could help him retrieve ancestral gold through rituals. She reportedly collected an undisclosed amount of money from the deceased under the pretext of facilitating this spiritual process.
As part of the alleged scam, the Prophetess invited the deceased to her church for a so-called “purification ceremony,” which investigations have revealed was a setup. During the event, Mr. Obeng Darkwah was abducted by Mubarak Mohammed and three other yet-to-be-identified accomplices, who remain at large. He was later murdered in what authorities now describe as a premeditated plot designed to silence him and avoid accountability.
The suspects were arrested in separate police operations on June 9 and June 17, 2025. Following initial appearances at the Suame District Court, the case was transferred to the Kodie District Court, where the accused were formally remanded into custody. They are expected to reappear in court on July 8, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has launched a manhunt for the three other suspects believed to be directly involved in the killing. Authorities are urging members of the public to assist with any credible information that could lead to their arrest.
The news has sent shockwaves through the Nyaboo community and the broader educational and traditional leadership fraternity. Mr. Obeng Darkwah was widely respected for his integrity, service to education, and dedication as a traditional leader.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Abusuapanin Nana Kwasi Bafoe expressed heartbreak and called for swift justice.
“Eric was a beacon of knowledge, service, and wisdom. To be lured and killed in such a heartless manner is beyond comprehension. We want the law to take its full course,” he stated.
His daughter, Deborah Pokua, also made an emotional appeal during a family briefing.
“My father was trying to secure a future for his family. He trusted someone he believed was a woman of God. But she deceived and killed him. We will not rest until everyone involved is brought to justice,” she said through tears.
The case has reignited national concern over the proliferation of spiritual scams and the unchecked influence of self-proclaimed religious leaders in Ghana. Civil society groups, traditional authorities, and human rights advocates are calling for tighter regulation of the activities of such spiritual figures, many of whom operate without proper oversight.
Police investigations into the murder are still ongoing.
