Kasoa ritual murder: What 18-year-old said after being sentenced to life in prison

Nicholas Kini, the 18-year-old convicted for the ritual murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah in Kasoa, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Kini, visibly frustrated after the sentencing, was captured in a video shared by GHOne TV expressing his discontent with the court’s ruling.

While being escorted to prison, Kini told a man in the courtroom, “Bossu, I will be back… There is no truth in Ghana,” in the Twi language, signaling his disillusionment with the justice system. A prison officer accompanying him tried to console Kini, urging him to be patient and said, “I know that you are angry, but be patient. Next year… we will see what God will do.”

Details of the Case

The case, which has gripped the nation since 2021, involves Kini and another minor who were both implicated in the heinous murder of Ishmael Mensah Abdellah. The crime, driven by a desire to use the young boy for ritual purposes, shocked the Kasoa community and sparked widespread outrage.

While Nicholas Kini has been sentenced to life imprisonment, the second accused, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime, has been referred to the juvenile court for sentencing due to his age. The defense lawyers had previously appealed to the court not to acquit the teenagers, but their plea was unsuccessful.