THE MYSTERY surrounding the ritualistic killing of a five-year-old African boy found floating in the Thames looked no nearer to being solved this week, as police dismissed links between the murder and a sheet of paper and seven candles found near the body.

The boy's dismembered torso was found on September 21st by a passer-by on Tower Bridge, and police believe it could have been thrown into the Thames as far up-river as Chiswick. It had been in the water for about ten days.

After the chilling discovery, the candles and a sheet of paper with the name Adekoye Jo Fola Adeoye were found nearby.

However, Scotland Yard detectives said last week they were absolutely satisfied' they had no links to the boy's murder, after a man with the same name was interviewed by police in New York.

They claimed the man confirmed he was the person referred to on the sheets and candles, and he said friends in the UK had held a prayer service seeking to protect him following tragic events in the US.Detectives believe the killing is the first case of a Muti' murder in the UK, in which a victim's body parts are sold to make potions that aim to bestow supernatural powers on anybody that takes them.

Similar murders have been common in southern Africa in the past, although forensic pathologist Professor Hendrik Scholtz, who specialises in examinations of ritualistic murder, told a police conference that such cases are becoming rarer.

Addressing the meeting of senior detectives on January 29th, which met to discuss the details of the killing in depth, Professor Scholtz said: It is my opinion that the nature of the discovery of the body, features of the external examination including the nature of the wounds, clothing and mechanism of death are consistent with those of a ritual homicide as practised in Africa.

The brain and skull are used in the preparation of potions which are then taken. By a person's sacrifice they believe they can awake the supernatural forces required to attain a goal.''

He added: It must be pointed out that the incidence of ritual killing has decreased considerably during the last decade in southern Africa since the advent of major political change, especially in South Africa and Swaziland.''

Police have been liaising closely with detectives in Germany and Belgium, where three similar cases have emerged.

Police have named the murdered boy Adam' and are now offering a £50,000 reward for information. Adam was described as a well-nourished' Afro-Caribbean boy, aged between five and six-years-old. When found he was wearing a pair of orange shorts, which are sold in Woolworths outlets in Germany, and are made only for boys.

As well as investigating a ritualistic aspect of the killing, police are also looking at a paedophile motive, stranger killing, mercy killing or domestic death possibilities.

Det Insp Will O'Reilly, leading the inquiry, has said: You may be a sister, brother, parent or other relative. Did you know a young child like Adam, but have not seen him since September?

Are you his teacher or carer but have not seen him? I am also appealing for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious near the Thames shoreline or embankment, or any of the bridges crossing the river up to a week before Adam was seen in the river to come forward.''

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8853 1212, or to remain anonymous on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. People can also call the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700 700.