Kasoa ritual murder: Court defers judgment on 2 teens to June 24

"The summing up is not ready," were the initial words of Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the trial judge presiding over the case in which a 15-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old young offender are standing trial for murder.

They are accused of killing 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah for an alleged money ritual, and their fate was expected to have been determined on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

However, when the case was called for closing addresses and subsequent summing up for the jury to retire and come out with their verdict, the court announced that the summing up was not ready.

The two have been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of the 10-year-old.

When the case was called, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo stated, "Our summing up is not ready," before she and the jury panel agreed on June 24 for the closing addresses by the parties and summing up.

The court cited "circumstances beyond" its control to adjourn the case to June 24 for closing addresses and summing up.

The trial by way of evidence concluded on February 14, while the court granted leave to the defense lawyers to file their written submissions after March 14.

Dorcas Fellie, a Senior State Attorney, had informed the court that the prosecution had complied with the directives and orders of the court to file their written submissions.

EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the mother and father of the late Ishmael Mensah Abdellah, along with other family members present in the court, were disappointed at the adjournment.

Background

On Wednesday, February 14, 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, signaled 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 have been 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) has admitted to the offense and stated that they "committed the crime together," the young offender (2nd accused) has denied the charges.