Kasoa Ritual Murder: 18-year-old sentenced to life imprisonment, 15-year-old referred to juvenile court

The two accused persons involved in the ritual murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah in 2021 have reportedly been convicted by a High Court.

According to GHOne TV, one of the accused persons, 18-year-old Nicholas Kini, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court.

The other accused person, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime, has reportedly been referred to the juvenile court for sentencing due to his age.

The lawyers of the accused persons, before the judgement on Thursday, October 24, 2024, pleaded with the court not to acquit the teenagers.

Below are details of the case:

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, widely celebrated as Valentine's Day, the second accused (18-year-old) young offender concluded his case.

This occurred after his lawyers indicated they would not be calling any witnesses, moments after State Prosecutors, led by Nana Adoma Osei, a Senior State Attorney, signalled the end of her cross-examination.

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the presiding judge, following the closure of evidence, ordered the parties to file their final closing addresses by March 14.

The court stated it would issue further directives after the parties had complied with the orders regarding their oral addresses to the jury and the court's subsequent summing up of the trial.

EIB Network's Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the prosecution called seven witnesses, including the father, mother, and sister of the 15-year-old juvenile.

The two teenagers were charged with conspiracy and the murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah before the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

While the 15-year-old juvenile (1st accused) admitted to the offence and stated that they "committed the crime together," the young offender (2nd accused) denied the charges.

BAI/ ADG

Meanwhile, catch up on the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV with Etsey Atisu as he caught with Philip Atawura, who just returned from a successful kidney transplant in India.



In the meantime, follow Ernestina Asante as she tours the Asokwa Constituency and speaks with MP Patricia Appiagyei in this episode of Campaign Trail on GhanaWeb TV: