A sad case of assault and alleged abuse of power has emerged from Takoradi, as a popular businessman and owner of the well-known Okatakyie Hotel and spot at the Takoradi Chinese industrial area, Mr. Kojo Asante Anane, reportedly attacked a customer called Daniel Pumi unprovoked.
The incident, according to what we have gathered, occurred on Friday, February 14, 2025, just at the forecourt of the hotel and spot, leaving the victim with multiple injuries and detained under controversial circumstances.
In an exclusive interview with our reporters, the victim recounted the harrowing ordeal, revealing that he had gone to the pub that evening with some friends to have fun. However, as soon as he arrived at the forecourt of the establishment, the pub owner, Mr. Anane, stormed out alongside three other men, brandishing a belt.
According to the young man, Mr. Anane immediately confronted him, demanding, “Did I not warn you never to come here again?” Before he could even respond, the businessman allegedly began lashing him mercilessly with the belt without any explanation.
Sensing danger, the young man attempted to flee, but a friend urgently cautioned him that Anane had rushed inside to retrieve a firearm. Terrified, he managed to escape from the pub, only to be intercepted once again by Anane on Cocoa Villa Street—this time, armed with a pump-action gun.
The victim further narrated that upon sighting him again, Mr. Anane aggressively questioned, “Who do you think you are?” before striking him in the face with the end of the firearm. The force of the blow made him dizzy, causing him to collapse. From there, Anane and his associates allegedly continued beating him savagely until he sustained severe injuries.
Thinking the nightmare was over, the young man was shocked when, later that same night, Mr. Asante Anane again arrived with two police officers from the Takoradi Central Police Station crossing him at the Bakano to have him arrested.
Daniel added that even though he had been assaulted many times and was badly injured, Mr. Anane allegedly landed another heavy slap on the exact spot where he got the wound, and blood was still oozing out before they took him to the police station.
Once at the station, the young man said he inquired about his alleged offense, only to be told that Mr. Anane had accused him of snatching phones at the pub—a claim he vehemently denied, as his friends were present and could confirm that nothing of the sort had occurred.
He was subsequently detained without any concrete evidence until a friend, known as Bottles, managed to secure his release by paying Gh¢1,000 for bail. However, before leaving the station, an officer identified as Laryea allegedly warned him that the businessman’s version of events contradicted his, but he should remain silent if he valued his safety.
According to the victim, Officer Laryea threatened to re-arrest and imprison him if he insisted on pursuing the matter further, forcing him to apologize before being released in the early hours of Saturday, February 15, 2025.
While Daniel Pumi is still nursing his wounds and currently calling on the relevant agencies to do a thorough investigation into the matter, he has mentioned that Mr. Kojo Asante Anane is boasting that nothing will happen to him because he has a cordial relationship with the Police Officer in charge of the Takoradi Central Police Station and the sitting Member of Parliament for the Effia Constituency, Hon. Yaw Boamah-Nyarko.
