72-Year-Old Man Nabbed in Ashanti Over Sakumono Double Murder Linked to GH¢500,000 Loan Dispute

A 72-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the brutal murders of two people at the NTHC Estate in Sakumono, Greater Accra, with investigators pointing to a bitter financial dispute over a GH¢500,000 loan as the likely motive behind the killings. The suspect, Samuel Christopher Osei Anto, was tracked down and apprehended at a hideout in Tikrom, near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, on Sunday, 1st November 2026.

What happened at Sakumono?

The victims have been identified as Irene Atuguba, 47, and George Atuguba, 57, both of whom were found dead at the NTHC Estate in Sakumono. The Accra Regional Police Command had issued a public statement about the murders on 30th October 2026, sparking a manhunt that eventually led investigators to the Ashanti Region.

Preliminary findings suggest that the killings stemmed from a financial disagreement between Anto and George Atuguba. According to the police, the suspect allegedly believed that a GH¢500,000 loan he had extended to the deceased had not been repaid — a grievance that investigators believe escalated into fatal violence.

During the arrest operation, a Smith & Wesson pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect. The firearm and ammunition have been retained as exhibits and are expected to form a central part of the prosecution's case. Anto is currently in police custody assisting with ongoing investigations.

How the suspect was tracked down

The arrest was the result of coordinated intelligence-led policing involving the Ashanti Regional Police Command, working off a tip about the suspect's location. That he had fled Greater Accra and concealed himself in a rural area near Ejisu suggests a degree of premeditation in his attempt to evade justice. The swift inter-regional collaboration between the Accra and Ashanti commands proved decisive in ensuring he did not remain at large for long.

The recovery of a loaded firearm from a 72-year-old suspect also raises questions about the illegal circulation of weapons in the country, an issue that law enforcement agencies have been grappling with in recent years.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case highlights several pressing concerns for Ghanaians. First, it underscores the dangers that can arise from unresolved financial disputes — particularly large, informal loan arrangements that lack legal documentation or enforceable agreements. A sum of GH¢500,000 is significant, and disputes of this scale, when left without proper legal recourse, can sometimes turn tragically violent.

Second, the presence of an unlicensed firearm with live rounds in the possession of a civilian is a reminder of the persistent challenge Ghana faces in controlling the proliferation of small arms. Security analysts have long warned that illegal weapons continue to find their way into civilian hands, often with deadly consequences.

Third, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance. It was actionable intelligence — likely from members of the public — that helped authorities locate the suspect in Tikrom. Police across the country routinely appeal to citizens to report suspicious activity, and this arrest demonstrates the value of that cooperation.

• Suspect Samuel Christopher Osei Anto, 72, was arrested in Tikrom near Ejisu on 1st November 2026.
• Victims Irene Atuguba, 47, and George Atuguba, 57, were killed at NTHC Estate, Sakumono.
• A loaded Smith & Wesson pistol and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspect.

Anto remains in custody as investigators build their case. It is expected that he will be formally charged and brought before a court in due course.