Three men arrested for apartment fire that killed a student charged with manslaughter: They did not accept the accusations

Three men who were arrested in connection with a house fire that caused the death of a student and serious injury to another were brought back to court again on Friday after the expiration of a previous 1-day detention order.

The incident occurred in an apartment building located in Hapsolat at around 3:00 am on Wednesday October 23.

Occupants of the apartment, Derrick Bamfo Ampomah, 24 and Jonathan Maukle Adjabeng, 24, both Ghanaian nationals were taken to the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Lefkosia but Derrick died despite all effort to save him while Jonathan is still under observation in the surgical ward.

Three men identified only as MT, 42, SMAE, 25 and İ.EG, 20 were later identified and arrested in connection with the incident. Police said they set fire to items in the stairwell of an apartment building entrance, leading to one fatality and another person being severely injured.

They were charged with “manslaughter, arson, setting fire to property, and causing serious injury”.

Police investigator stated that the suspects S.M.A.E and I.E.G allegedly entered the apartment building owned by suspect M.T. at 2.40 am, using incendiary materials to set items inside the building on fire. The resulting blaze caused the death of 24-year-old Derrick Bamfo Ampomah, who resided in apartment 6, and left 24-year-old Jonathan Maukle Adjabeng severely injured. The suspect M.T., who is believed to be connected to the case, was also arrested. Voluntary statements were taken from S.M.A.E and I.E.G, and a formal statement obtained from M.T.

During the investigation, more than 30 witness statements were collected. The investigator said that many CCTV recordings were obtained and will be reviewed, and further statements are still needed. 

Searches were conducted at the suspects’ residences, and mobile phones were seized as evidence. The police reported that S.M.A.E’s encrypted phone was found, and through his lawyer, he indicated that he would not provide the password. 

The police requested that the suspects remain in police custody for 7 days to allow the investigation to proceed smoothly.

The lawyer representing the suspects S.M.A.E and M.T., raised no objection to the 7-day detention but questioned the investigator, asking, “Has any evidence been found against my client M.T.?” He also noted that M.T. denies all allegations. 

The lawyer further inquired whether S.M.A.E had undergone a medical examination, to which the investigator confirmed, stating, “He was examined by a doctor, and no signs of assault or coercion were found”.

After reviewing the evidence presented, the judge ordered that the suspects be detained for an additional 7 days.