The Ghana Police Service has launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of a 26-year-old Liberian national, Austin Tengeeh, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Lashibi, near Sakumono in the Greater Accra Region.
The investigation follows formal engagement by the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Accra with the Crime Unit of the Sakumono District Police after reports emerged of the young man’s death. The Embassy is seeking to ensure that all appropriate legal and procedural steps are followed in handling the case.
In a statement, the Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had visited his brother at an apartment complex in Lashibi in the company of his girlfriend on Friday, February 27, 2026. During the visit, the caretaker of the apartment reportedly raised an alarm, accusing him of being a thief. He was subsequently attacked and assaulted by some residents and members of the public.
The victim was rushed to the Sakumono Community Hospital by a Police Patrol team after officers responded to a distress call. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the facility. His body has since been deposited at the Lashibi Funeral Home for preservation and autopsy.
Police have arrested three suspects, Vincent Adzikah (38), Francis Amuzu (44), and William Addison (34), who are currently assisting with investigations. A fourth suspect, identified as Enoch Mensah, is on the run, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
According to the Police, the suspects are expected to be arraigned before court on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Service has urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to report suspected criminal activity to the authorities to ensure due process is followed.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Embassy in Accra paid a solemn visit to the family of the deceased on Sunday, conveying heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia. The delegation expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and assured them of the Mission’s continued engagement with Ghanaian authorities to ensure justice is pursued in accordance with Ghana’s laws.
Speaking during the visit, representatives of the Embassy emphasized that the protection and welfare of Liberian nationals abroad remain a top priority. They reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to closely monitoring developments in the case and called for calm within the Liberian community while encouraging full cooperation with ongoing investigations.
Under Ghanaian law, mob justice, the act of individuals taking the law into their own hands to punish suspected offenders, constitutes a criminal offence. Persons who participate in such acts can be charged with crimes including assault, causing harm, manslaughter, or murder, depending on the outcome of the attack.
A notable example is the killing of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama in 2017. The military officer was lynched by residents at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region after he was mistaken for an armed robber while jogging. In 2023, the Accra High Court sentenced 12 persons to life imprisonment for their roles in his murder, underscoring the judiciary’s firm stance against mob violence. The case remains one of the most significant convictions related to mob justice in Ghana’s recent history
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