A High Court in Accra has handed Richard Appiah a life sentence after a jury found him guilty of murdering two children in Abesim, a case that stunned the Bono Region and gripped the nation.
The seven-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict on two counts of murder, clearing the way for the court to impose the mandatory life term. The victims, aged 12 and 15, were killed in 2021 in a crime that sent shockwaves through the quiet community near Sunyani.
Appiah, who was 28 when the offences occurred, had been on trial since 2022. Proceedings were presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey.
The investigation began in August 2021 when police in Abesim arrested Appiah following a disturbing discovery at his residence. The bodies of two boys were found in his home, with some remains retrieved from a refrigerator in his living quarters. The revelations triggered outrage and widespread condemnation.
Earlier reports identified the victims as Louis Agyemang, 12, believed to be his stepbrother, and Stephen Sarpong, 15, the son of a family friend. Police indicated at the time that Appiah had allegedly murdered at least two boys.
In the immediate aftermath of his arrest, sections of the media described him as a footballer and sports commentator, while other professions were attributed to him. The Ghana Institute of Architects later clarified that he was not a registered architect, correcting initial claims.
While in custody, reports surfaced that Appiah demanded specific meals and displayed unusual behaviour. Investigators subsequently sought a psychiatric evaluation as part of their inquiries.
The trial was marked by several adjournments, including delays caused by the absence of jurors. Nonetheless, prosecutors presented evidence they argued firmly connected Appiah to the killings.
After months of proceedings, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on both counts. In sentencing, the court imposed life imprisonment, underscoring the gravity of the crimes.
Justice Aryeetey, who oversaw the case from its commencement, brought the proceedings to a close with a judgment that many see as a measure of justice for a community left reeling by the brutality of the offences.
