The two teenagers standing trial for the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa have been found guilty of both murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The crime, committed in 2021, has taken three years to reach its conclusion. The High Court delivered the final verdict, sentencing the second accused, Nicholas Kini, who was 18 at the time of the incident, to life in prison.
Meanwhile, the first accused, who was 15 years old when the crime occurred, has been referred to the juvenile court for sentencing as the High Court lacks jurisdiction to sentence minors.
Facts of the Case
According to investigators, the first accused admitted during interrogation that the plan to kill the victim stemmed from watching a video of a spiritualist who promised wealth in exchange for GH¢5,000 and human blood.
The first accused revealed that he contacted the second accused, Nicholas Kini, who suggested they consult the fetish priest. The priest allegedly demanded GH¢5,000 and human blood. As part of the plot, they first intended to kidnap the boy and demand the ransom from his parents.
The victim was lured to an uncompleted building by the first accused, under the guise of receiving a game. Once there, he was struck on the head with a stick and later with cement blocks after pleading for mercy. The boy was buried alive, with the pathologist testifying that the cause of death was suffocation.
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution’s first witness was called in March 2023. Seven witnesses, including the victim’s father, the first accused’s family members, and police officers, testified during the trial. The detective who investigated the case and the pathologist who performed the post-mortem were also key witnesses.
The victim’s father testified that he had returned home from a work trip the morning of the incident. After having breakfast with his family, including his son, he took a nap, which was interrupted by his wife’s screams upon discovering their son’s body at an uncompleted building near their home.
The first accused’s sister testified that she had seen her brother and Nicholas Kini at the same building but was told to leave. She later informed her mother, who notified the father, Richard Mensah.
Mensah testified that he uncovered the boy’s body and that his son confessed to the killing, implicating Kini as well. Police testimony confirmed that Kini also confessed to striking the victim with a club.
Case of Accused Persons
The first accused admitted his involvement, pleading guilty to conspiracy but not guilty to murder. The second accused, Nicholas Kini, denied any involvement and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
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.
Final Address to the Jury
The prosecution urged the jury to find both teenagers guilty, citing strong evidence of their involvement in both murder and conspiracy. The defense, however, argued for their acquittal.
In summing up the case, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo appealed to the jury to consider the facts carefully and uphold the conscience of the nation. After deliberating, the seven-member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on both charges.
Nicholas Kini was sentenced to life imprisonment, while the juvenile court will determine the fate of the first accused.