The Ghana Police Service has arrested 39-year-old Michael Mensah in connection with the murder of Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a University of Cape Coast (UCC) student.
The suspect was arrested on June 15, 2026, at about 7:15 p.m. by the IGP’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team at the Pedu Lorry Station in Cape Coast, following sustained intelligence-led operations.
Preliminary investigations revealed that on June 11, 2026, at about 6:48 p.m., the suspect — who claims to be a teacher by profession but also works as a driver — picked up the deceased from Ayensu Plaza within the UCC hostel enclave and drove her to Hutchland Beach, where she was last seen.
It would be recalled that a Level 200 student of the University of Cape Coast, Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, was confirmed dead after she was reported missing, prompting both police and university authorities to launch investigations into her death.
The 20-year-old Bachelor of Commerce student, studying Human Resource Management, was formally identified at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary by her family members, police investigators and the Dean of Students of UCC.
According to preliminary investigations, Ms. Avinu was last seen on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m. Her roommate told investigators that she received a phone call and left their hostel room at Amamoma dressed in casual clothing.
Police said the UCC District Command received information at about 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, that the body of an unidentified female had been discovered on Hutchland Beach, near the university’s coastal boundary.
A team of officers dispatched to the scene found the body lying face down on the beach, with blood oozing from the nose.
However, a preliminary examination conducted at the scene revealed no visible signs of assault or other external injuries.
The body was photographed and conveyed to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation, identification and further examination. UCC confirmed the student’s identity after police alerted the institution that the deceased might be a member of the university community.
In a statement issued by its Directorate of Public Affairs, UCC announced that it had commenced an internal inquiry and was collaborating closely with the UCC District Police Command to establish the circumstances leading to Ms. Avinu’s death.
The university said its response had been coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs, which assisted police with identification procedures and the gathering of relevant information.
“The University Management has been duly informed, and appropriate support measures are being extended to the family, the affected roommate, colleague students, and course mates during this difficult period,” Acting Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, stated.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke