In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of 38-year-old Immigration Officer Stephen King Amoah, a second suspect, Thomas Zigah, also known as Nii Jaase or Nii Dzaase, has been arrested and arraigned before the Adabraka District Court.
This arrest, which occurred just days ago, has intensified public scrutiny and heightened tensions, with the victim’s family threatening retaliation if justice is not served swiftly and fairly. The case, marked by allegations of betrayal, financial deceit, and gruesome violence, has gripped the nation, raising questions about personal safety, trust among friends, and the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting public servants.
The prime suspect, Bright Aweh, also referred to as Robert or Highest Bright, a close friend of the deceased, remains in custody facing provisional murder charges. Both suspects were remanded for two weeks following their court appearance on August 22, 2025, as investigations continue to unfold, potentially involving additional accomplices.
Stephen King Amoah was a dedicated 38-year-old officer with the Ghana Immigration Service, known for his service in protecting the nation’s borders. Described by family and colleagues as a reliable and hardworking individual, Amoah resided in Accra and was last seen alive on the evening of July 3, 2025.
According to police reports, he left his home in Ashongman Estate after receiving enticing photos of bundled cash from his close friend, Bright Aweh, who allegedly promised to repay a debt. Amoah informed his family he was stepping out briefly to meet Aweh but never returned. His phone soon became unreachable, prompting his relatives to file a missing person report on July 4, 2025.
This disappearance sparked immediate concern within the GIS and the broader community, as Amoah was not known to vanish without notice. His family, including in-laws and extended relatives, mobilized quickly, sharing pleas on social media and cooperating with authorities. The case initially drew comparisons to other high-profile abductions in Ghana, highlighting vulnerabilities even among security personnel.
The grim discovery came six days later, on July 9, 2025, when Amoah’s charred remains were found wrapped in a burnt woollen carpet and dumped in a gutter near Abuom Junction, close to Kwabenya in Accra.
The body was located opposite the Comet Estate, near the GBC satellite area, in what investigators described as a secondary crime scene. The partial burning of the corpse suggested an attempt to destroy evidence, sending shockwaves through the public and prompting widespread condemnation on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed outrage over the “gruesome unaliving.”
The Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department, led by Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, launched an intensive probe. Early leads pointed to Aweh as the last person in contact with Amoah, based on phone records and witness statements.
Aweh was arrested on July 6, 2025, just days after the disappearance but before the body was found. During interrogation, he admitted to meeting Amoah and handing him GH¢500,000 in cash, claiming GH¢200,000 was to settle a debt, while the rest was for Amoah to hold temporarily, but denied any involvement in the murder.
Forensic examinations have been pivotal in building the case. A court-approved search of Aweh’s residence on July 24, 2025, revealed bloodstains in the living room, signs of an attempted cleanup with freshly painted walls, and a blood-stained fufu pestle wrapped in plastic, recovered about 100 meters from the home.
Additional evidence included a burnt woollen carpet with bloodstains and camouflage fabric near the body discovery site. Aweh’s vehicle was impounded, yielding more blood samples. Initial tests confirmed the presence of human blood, and DNA samples from Amoah’s mother and son are being analyzed for matches.
Police have also recovered weapons linked to the crime, though specifics remain undisclosed as investigations extend beyond Accra’s jurisdiction. COP Donkor emphasized during an August 4, 2025, press briefing that Aweh likely did not act alone, leading to the pursuit of accomplices.
Some posts on X have speculated about CCTV footage from a neighbor capturing suspects entering Aweh’s home and removing a body, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Thomas Zigah’s arrest marks a turning point, with police alleging he assisted Aweh in the murder. Zigah, described in some reports as a strong NDC member, was nabbed recently and arraigned alongside Aweh on August 22, 2025, under heavy security.
His exact role remains unclear, but sources suggest he may have helped in the disposal of the body or the cover-up. Zigah appeared in court limping and in apparent pain, prompting his lawyer to request medical treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital rather than the Police Hospital. The prosecution opposed this, citing prior treatments at the Police Hospital, and the judge required a formal application for any change.
The case has seen multiple hearings. Aweh first appeared at the Kaneshie District Court on August 8, 2025, where he was remanded for two weeks. Initially classified as kidnapping, it was upgraded to murder after the body’s discovery.
On August 22, both suspects faced the Adabraka District Court, where the prosecution withdrew prior charges and filed new ones. The defense sought a one-week adjournment for medical reports, but the court adjourned to September 4, 2025, to allow further probes. Another suspect remains at large.
Tensions escalated outside the courtroom, with family members hooting at Zigah’s lawyer, Gordon Aboagye, and confronting suspects. Police had to intervene to prevent chaos as relatives demanded the suspects walk unescorted to vehicles.
The apparent motive revolves around a financial dispute. Aweh allegedly lured Amoah with promises of debt repayment using cash photos, handing over GH¢500,000 during their meeting.
This betrayal by a supposed close friend has fueled discussions on trust and greed. Some speculate deeper involvement, possibly linked to organized crime or political affiliations, given Zigah’s reported NDC ties, though no evidence substantiates this.
In a broader sense, the case underscores risks faced by immigration officers, who often deal with sensitive border issues. It has prompted calls for enhanced security measures for public servants and highlighted Ghana’s rising violent crime rates, with similar cases drawing comparisons to unresolved murders.
The Amoah family has been vocal, demanding life imprisonment for the suspects and threatening to “take matters into their own hands” if any relative dies post-judgment or if police are perceived as shielding the accused through bribes.
Yaw Mensah, an in-law, warned, “We will go after the suspects… We have taken notice of everyone associated with them.” Elderly relatives broke down in court, lamenting the dangers of friendships.
Authorities, including COP Donkor, have urged calm, emphasizing thorough investigations. Public reaction on X has been intense, with posts calling for justice and sharing videos of court chaos. Media outlets like Citi FM and TV3 have covered the story extensively, amplifying demands for transparency.
As the case progresses, Ghanaians await further revelations, hoping for closure in this tragic saga of friendship turned fatal. Updates are expected at the next hearing on September 4, 2025.
