A district court in Bibiani has remanded a pastor and two accomplices into lawful custody for allegedly attempting to bury a five-month-old baby alive at a refuse dump in Abofrem, near Bibiani in the Western North Region.
The accused—Richmond Frimpong, 36, also known as “Prophet” and identified as a pastor; Beatrice Agyapongmaa, 23, a hairdresser and the child’s mother; and Emmanuel Appiah—were brought before the Bibiani District Court. A fourth suspect, Donkor, a 53-year-old farmer, remains at large.
Frimpong and Agyapongmaa have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, namely attempted murder. Frimpong faces an additional count of attempted murder. Appiah and Donkor have been charged with abetment of crime, also in relation to attempted murder.
Presiding judge Mr Lord Delvin Essandoh did not take the pleas of the accused and denied a bail application submitted by their counsel.
Chief Inspector B.O. Agyemang, leading the prosecution, informed the court that the infant—currently in the care of Agyapongmaa’s grandmother—remains at risk. He requested that the child be placed in a care facility. In response, the court directed the Social Welfare Office to conduct a social enquiry and submit a report within five days to determine appropriate protective measures.
The case has been adjourned to May 5, 2026.
According to the prosecution, the incident came to light on April 10 at approximately 10:00 p.m., when the complainant, Winfred Agbah, a 29-year-old security guard and Unit Committee member in Abofrem, received information that individuals were attempting to secretly bury a child at a refuse dump.
Upon arriving at the scene, Agbah allegedly found Frimpong, Appiah, and Donkor preparing to bury the infant, who had been wrapped in cloth and was being held by Appiah. The suspects reportedly claimed the child was dead; however, Agbah determined that the baby was still alive.
Frimpong allegedly attempted to persuade the complainant to allow the burial to proceed, but Agbah refused and escorted the suspects to the local chief.
Investigations revealed that Agyapongmaa is the biological mother of the child, who reportedly had a neck condition since birth. Seeking a remedy, she was directed to Frimpong, who allegedly described the child as “Nsuoba” and prescribed spiritual intervention.
The pastor is said to have requested ritual items including eggs, schnapps, powder, incense, a fowl, and a cannonball stone. Following the rituals, he allegedly assured the mother that the child would soon die and instructed her to return to Kumasi.
On April 9, Agyapongmaa reportedly returned to inform him that the baby was still alive. The prosecution stated that they then agreed that euthanasia would be the best course of action.
Frimpong allegedly instructed her to leave the child in his care to “complete the process” and later declared the baby dead. Appiah, who had visited Frimpong, allegedly assisted in confirming the supposed death.
Subsequently, Frimpong, Appiah, and Donkor reportedly transported the infant to the refuse dump, where Donkor dug a grave. They allegedly attempted to bury the child before Agbah intervened and rescued the infant.
The matter was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Bibiani, leading to the arrest of the accused. According to the prosecution, the suspects admitted to the offence in their caution statements, and a duplicate docket is being prepared for submission to the Attorney-General’s Department for further advice.
