How a police officer who appealed his 25-year jail term ended up with a death sentence

A former Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer of the Ghana Police Service, Corporal Emmanuel Sackey, has recounted how his colleague, Constable Yaya, lost an appeal that turned his 25-year jail term into a death sentence.

Sackey himself was sentenced to death by firing squad, while Yaya initially received 25 years in prison as an accomplice, following the death of a suspect in custody in 1985.

In an interview with NAK Media, on March 31, 2026, Sackey, who hails from Somanya, shared details of the events that led to their conviction and his eventual presidential pardon.

According to Sackey, he struggled with substance abuse during his time in service, including alcohol and drugs.

He explained that the incident occurred after he had smoked and drunk heavily before being assigned to handle a case.

During interrogation, the suspect became difficult, leading to a physical assault.

“The suspect was frustrating me, so I slapped him. He tried to retaliate and Yaya said not here and joined me. We beat him. He had previously undergone an operation and after the beating, he got injured and started bleeding,” Sackey recounted.

The suspect later collapsed and efforts were made to rush him to the hospital.

“He collapsed, and we put him in a car to take him to the hospital but he died on the way. That was when my eyes became clear from the weed and alcohol I had taken,” Sackey said.

At Tema General Hospital, medical personnel confirmed the suspect was dead on arrival.

The incident was reported to their superiors and the family of the deceased was informed.

Public outcry over the case escalated the matter to the then Head of State, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

'Rawlings gave judge 3 days so we would be killed' - Ex-CID officer alleges

“People said even if we were taken to the IGP, we would be freed, so they took the matter straight to the President at the Castle,” Sackey claimed.

Rawlings reportedly directed the Inspector-General of Police to take immediate action.

“The President ordered the IGP to bring a delegation from Accra to Tema to arrest all of us,” Sackey said.

He and his colleagues were charged with murder and conspiracy and tried before a special tribunal court.

Sackey received a death sentence by firing squad, while Yaya was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

After serving 10 years, both men filed appeals to reduce their sentences. Sackey’s appeal was dismissed but Yaya’s attempt to appeal angered the sitting judge.

“The judge said both of us committed the crime, so instead of reducing his sentence, he reviewed it and gave him a death sentence as well,” Sackey explained.

This decision led to accusations that Sackey had influenced the outcome of Yaya’s appeal.

After spending 16 years in prison, both men were eventually granted a presidential pardon on January 12, 2001.





AM/VPO

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