A middle-aged woman who was a crucial witness in the criminal trial against three staff members of the Upper East Regional Hospital has passed away.
The woman, identified as Mercy Alagpulinsa, died suddenly and mysteriously around 10:00 pm on August 15, 2023, while receiving care at the Upper East Regional Hospital.
Alagpulinsa had arrived at the hospital around 9:00 pm, complaining of an unusual stomachache. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her condition approximately an hour later, despite being under observation.
Reports reveal that prior to her sudden demise, Alagpulinsa had confided in someone close that the husband of one of the accused hospital staff members had approached her with a proposition.
He allegedly intended to meet her to convince her to provide false testimony in support of his wife’s case.
This revelation adds complexity to the situation, as Alagpulinsa possessed significant information regarding one of the suspects involved in the drug theft case.
An anonymous source close to Alagpulinsa expressed concern over potential foul play, suggesting that her untimely death might be linked to her commitment to upholding the truth rather than complying with false testimony.
Background:
The incident stems from a larger scandal involving thefts of government drugs at the Upper East Regional Hospital, which was brought to light by investigative journalist Edward Adeti from Media Without Borders.
The thefts, which have plagued the region and led to drug shortages, were uncovered after complaints from local residents and Adeti’s subsequent investigation.
The stolen drugs were reportedly pilfered by a cartel operating within the hospital. This cartel stored the stolen drugs in a concealed building near the hospital, then transported them to Tamale for resale, resulting in the disruption of medical services and deteriorating health conditions for patients.
The investigation led to the arrest of three hospital staff members: Bridget Banoeyelle, Fasilat Raheem, and Raymond Asoke.
These individuals face charges of stealing, conspiracy, and abetment of stealing. However, the accused have refused to disclose the identities of the individuals purchasing the stolen government drugs from them.
In a twist of events, the potential witness, Mercy Alagpulinsa, has died under circumstances that raise suspicion, as her passing coincided with her refusal to compromise her commitment to the truth in the ongoing legal proceedings.