By Daniel Bampoe
A shocking murder case that has stunned residents of Nsawam-Aduakrom in the Eastern Region has taken a new turn after a woman and her son were remanded into police custody over the alleged killing of a 36-year-old land agent and the attempted murder of his teenage son.
The suspects, identified by police as Abigail Cheetham, 34, and her son, Prince, were arrested by the Ghana Police Service following investigations into the death of Nicholas Cheetham, a land agent, whose body was allegedly discovered after a carefully orchestrated attack at his family residence.
The case has generated widespread public attention due to the disturbing circumstances surrounding the alleged crime and the survival of a key witness, a 15-year-old boy who police say narrowly escaped death after allegedly witnessing the attack.
According to information released by investigators, the incident occurred at Nsawam-Aduakrom on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Preliminary police findings suggest that tensions had existed within the family following the discovery that Nicholas had allegedly fathered a child outside his marriage.
Police sources indicate that although the matter was reportedly resolved after Nicholas pleaded for forgiveness and provided compensation, including a plot of land and a substantial amount of money to his wife, investigators believe resentment may have persisted.
Authorities allege that despite the apparent settlement of the dispute, Abigail had secretly begun planning to eliminate her husband.
According to the police account, events leading to the alleged murder began on the afternoon of March 7 when Nicholas reportedly handed GH¢30,000 to his wife for safekeeping until the following day.
Investigators claim that Abigail subsequently informed her son, Prince, about both the money and the alleged plan to kill Nicholas.
Police further allege that Prince contacted a friend to assist in carrying out the act.
According to reports, the unidentified accomplice demanded GH¢8,000 as payment for his participation, an amount investigators claim was paid from the money Nicholas had entrusted to his wife.
Police allege that later that night, around 12:30 a.m., Abigail engaged her husband in intimate relations before he went to sleep.
Investigators claim that once Nicholas was asleep, Prince and his alleged accomplice were summoned into the bedroom where the fatal attack occurred.
The case took an even more dramatic turn when Nicholas’s 15-year-old son, Richmond, reportedly heard unusual sounds during the night and looked through a window to investigate.
According to police reports, the teenager allegedly witnessed the suspects placing his father’s body into a large rubber bag, apparently in preparation for disposal.
Investigators say the suspects later realized the boy had seen what had happened. After allegedly disposing of Nicholas’s body, they reportedly turned their attention to Richmond in an attempt to eliminate him as a witness.
Police allege that the teenager was attacked, sustaining severe injuries including a broken neck and head wounds after being struck with a cement block. Believing he had died, the suspects allegedly abandoned him while they made arrangements to dispose of his body.
However, in what investigators describe as a remarkable turn of events, Richmond regained consciousness despite his injuries. Bleeding heavily from the head, he reportedly managed to flee to a neighboring house, where he informed residents about the events that had occurred.
The neighbors subsequently alerted the police, triggering a swift response from law enforcement officers.
The Eastern Regional Police Command confirmed that Abigail and Prince were arrested shortly after the report was received.
“We received a report early Sunday morning and moved in swiftly. Two suspects are in custody, and we are pursuing the third suspect. The survivor is receiving medical treatment,” a police statement indicated.
The teenage survivor continues to receive medical care while investigators work to locate the third suspect believed to have participated in the crime.
Police say investigations remain ongoing and additional charges may be considered depending on the outcome of the inquiry.
The case has sent shockwaves through Nsawam-Aduakrom, with many residents expressing disbelief over the allegations and mourning the death of Nicholas Cheetham.
