The two suspects standing trial for the gruesome murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa have been found guilty of both murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The High Court delivered its final verdict nearly three years after the brutal murder of Ishmael Abdallah, a crime that shocked Ghanaians for its chilling nature and the involvement of two minors at the time.
Nicholas Kini, who was 18 at the time of the crime, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, while the first accused, who was 15 at the time, has been referred to the juvenile court for sentencing as the High Court lacks jurisdiction to sentence minors.
During the trial, the first accused admitted that he had been influenced by a video of a spiritualist who promised riches in exchange for GH¢5,000 and human blood.
He confessed to contacting Nicholas Kini to carry out the plan, which led to the brutal murder of Ishmael Abdallah.
The boy was buried alive, with a pathologist confirming that he died from asphyxiation.
Seven witnesses, including the victim’s father, the first accused’s family members, and police officers, testified during the trial.
While the first accused admitted to the crime, pleading guilty to conspiracy but not murder, Nicholas Kini maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
He claimed that he was not at the crime scene and provided an alibi, saying he was with his grandfather. However, the court found no evidence to support this alibi.
After deliberations, the seven-member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict for both teenagers on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The presiding judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, appealed to the jury to consider the facts carefully and uphold the conscience of the nation.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of the case and brings some closure to the family of the deceased.
Background
On April 4, 2021, two teenagers were arrested by the police at Kasoa in the Central Region for their alleged involvement in a murder related to money rituals.
Felix and Nicholas are said to have lured their victim into an uncompleted building and reportedly killed him.
A fetish priestess had demanded body parts from the two in addition to GHC 5000 to perform money rituals to make them wealthy.
The deceased was playing a video game when his playmates, who are known residents in the area, called him into an uncompleted building.
Per the reports, the accused persons hit Ishmael with an object, which resulted in instant death.
According to sources, the incident happened in the Kasoa suburb of Lamptey Mills on Saturday, April 3, 2021, between 5 pm and 6 pm.
Ishmael lived with his mother and sister at Kasoa, while the father lived elsewhere.
According to Ishmael’s mother, the father had travelled and had not been able to visit them for some time.
As a practice, the mother of the deceased said the boy often attended Islamic lessons on Saturdays but failed to do so on that fateful day because he was waiting for his father, who had promised to visit.
The mother said Ishmael’s sister rushed in to inform her that he had been killed.
The residents apprehended the teenagers and reported the case to the Kasoa police.