Veteran Ghanaian musician Kwaw Kese has raised serious concerns after revealing that the police investigation into the 2014 murder of Fennec Okyere, his former manager and CEO of Madtime Entertainment, has reportedly been closed without arrests or prosecutions. The shocking announcement has reignited questions about the handling of one of Ghana’s most talked-about unresolved murder cases in the entertainment industry.
Fennec Okyere was tragically shot dead in March 2014 at his Manet Gardens residence on the Spintex Road in Accra by unknown assailants. At the time, his death sent shockwaves through Ghana’s music community because he managed and supported the early career of Kwaw Kese, one of the country’s prominent musicians. Despite initial investigations and arrests, the case remained unresolved for years.
According to Kwaw Kese himself, police have since closed the file on the murder investigation after a prolonged period without significant progress. He stated that he was informed by law enforcement that no further action would be taken, a development he finds deeply troubling. The rapper highlighted what he perceives as systemic weaknesses in the investigative process and has publicly questioned the police’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind his late manager’s death.
Kwaw Kese has long expressed frustration with the way the case was handled. In earlier comments, he said the police closure of the investigation reflected broader flaws in the justice system. He remarked on the perception that law enforcement and judicial agencies were not fully dedicated to achieving justice for Fennec. This sense of disappointment has endured among industry peers and fans alike, who remember Fennec as a respected figure in the music business.
Background and past developments
Shortly after Fennec’s murder, the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service arrested Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog (or Bullgod), as a suspect. His arrest came amid public speculation and tension within the music community, as he had been known to have public disagreements with Fennec prior to the killing. However, Bulldog’s plea was never taken, and he was eventually released from police custody. Later, the Attorney-General advised that the state was no longer interested in prosecuting him for Fennec’s death, which led to his discharge and acquittal.
Over the years, the case has continued to generate public commentary. At various times, the police engaged in follow-up actions including outreach to entertainers. In 2022, the police confirmed that dancehall artiste Shatta Wale was contacted after claiming to have information related to the case; authorities said he was cooperating with investigators, and that the newly established Cold Case Unit was reviewing unresolved murders, including Fennec’s.
Despite these intermittent developments, the official investigation did not yield arrests or convictions, leading to long-held frustration. Kwaw Kese, in past public statements, noted his unhappiness with the police’s handling of the matter and repeatedly called on authorities to intensify efforts or reopen inquiries.
Reactions and ongoing debate
The closure of the case has sparked renewed debate among fans, colleagues and commentators within Ghana’s entertainment sphere. Many have voiced disappointment that a high-profile murder involving a respected industry figure remains effectively unresolved more than a decade after it occurred. The case has also been referenced in broader discussions about policing effectiveness, accountability, and the ability of legal institutions to deliver justice in complex high-profile cases.
Some have pointed to moments in the past when there appeared to be movement in the investigation, such as police contact with prominent personalities claiming insider information, and periodic public appeals for witnesses or new leads. However, none of these interim efforts produced concrete breakthroughs that resulted in charges or convictions.
Kwaw Kese’s announcement that authorities have closed the investigation may further intensify calls for transparency in how high-profile cases are pursued and concluded by security agencies. For many in the music community and beyond, the case remains symbolic of broader concerns about justice and closure in unresolved violent crimes.
Whether the police will revisit or reassess the murder file in future remains uncertain. For now, the news that the investigation has been closed has reopened conversations about accountability, the role of the justice system, and the lasting legacy of a murder that profoundly impacted those who knew Fennec Okyere personally and professionally.