Two suspects on trial for the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa have been found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The crime, which occurred in 2021, has taken three years to conclude. The High Court sentenced the second accused, Nicholas Kini, now 18, to life in prison.
The first accused, who was 15 at the time, has been referred to a juvenile court for sentencing, as the High Court cannot sentence minors.
Investigators revealed that the plot to kill the victim originated from the first accused watching a video of a spiritualist who promised wealth in exchange for GH¢5,000 and human blood.
After contacting Kini, they consulted a fetish priest, who demanded the money and blood. Initially, they planned to kidnap the boy for ransom but ultimately lured him to an uncompleted building, where he was struck on the head and buried alive.
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The pathologist confirmed suffocation as the cause of death.
During the trial, which began in March 2023, seven witnesses testified, including the victim’s father and the investigating detective. The father recounted discovering his son’s body after returning home from a trip.
The first accused admitted to conspiracy but denied murder, while Kini pleaded not guilty and provided an unsubstantiated alibi.
The prosecution urged the jury to find both teenagers guilty based on compelling evidence.
Justice Lydia Osei Marfo reminded the jury to consider the facts carefully. After deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, leading to Kini’s life sentence and the juvenile court’s involvement for the first accused.
