In the court of law in Accra, an 18-year-old teenager, along with a 15-year-old juvenile, stood accused in the Kasoa ritual murder case. The teenager stated, “I have no knowledge of Ishmael Mensah Abdallah’s death.”
Charged with conspiracy and murder in connection with 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah, the duo appeared before Justice Lydia Osei Marfo for proceedings.
The 15-year-old juvenile, identified as the first accused, has admitted to the offense, confessing, “We committed the crime together.” In contrast, the 18-year-old defendant, designated as the second accused, has contested the accusations.
During the trial on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, following the completion of the first accused’s case, the 18-year-old (second accused) presented his defense in court. He denied the 15-year-old juvenile’s claim that they had orchestrated Ishmael’s death.
“On Tuesday, February 6, 2024,” he recounted to the court, “when the first accused stayed overnight at my house, there was no discussion about Ishmael’s death. On Friday, April 2, 2021, when he arrived, I inquired about his whereabouts. He claimed to have been working with his father near Suhum, close to Nsawam, and mentioned that his father had already left for home. He explained that he couldn’t enter his house because the door was locked, so he opted to stay at my place since I was alone that day.
“We didn’t schedule any activities while he was staying at my house, and he didn’t get any calls. I mentioned my plan to visit my hometown on Monday, April 5, 2021, and he expressed interest in joining, citing rumors of black magic in the area. Additionally, he claimed to have won a lottery, boasting of having GHc500 on his phone that day. Feeling tired, I turned off the lights, and we both went to sleep.
“Regarding the events of April 3, 2021,” he continued at his counsel’s prompting, “I advised the first accused to return home in the morning, around 5 to 6 a.m. After he left, I began preparing breakfast for my siblings at the request of my grandfather. While doing so, Mr. Nyarko, the first accused’s father, approached me and asked for assistance with some tasks. When I inquired about his son, he informed me that the first accused wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t assist him. Surprised, I asked if he knew his son had stayed over at my place, but Mr. Nyarko claimed his son had told him he slept in an unfinished building nearby.
