- Professor Kofi Akamani has been shot dead in Jackson County, Illinois, after police responded to a residence off Lake Road.
- His wife, Betty Akamani, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder amid ongoing divorce proceedings.
A Ghanaian academic at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been shot dead in a case that has led to the arrest of his wife.
Professor Kofi Akamani, 48, a faculty member in the university’s forestry programme, was killed on Friday at a residence off Lake Road in Jackson County, Illinois. Police said they responded to the shooting and rushed him to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.
Akamani had taught at Southern Illinois University for about 15 years, contributing to the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences. His death has shocked colleagues and students, who described him as a dedicated scholar known for his kindness and strong work ethic.
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Authorities confirmed that his wife, Betty Akamani, 35, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder. Jackson County State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio Hale said the couple was undergoing divorce proceedings at the time of the incident. Betty Akamani is scheduled to appear in court on October 6.
The university community is mourning the loss of a respected professor who had spent more than a decade shaping forestry education in the United States. Officials emphasised that the charges remain allegations and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
By Our Reporter
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