News
Footballer sentenced to life imprisonment over murder of 2
AN Accra High Court has sentenced Richard Appiah, a footballer, to life imprisonment for the murder of two boys at Abesim in the Bono Region.
The convict was found guilty by a seven-member jury on two counts of murder.
The court heard that on August 20, 2021, Appiah murdered Stephen Sarpong, 15, and Louis Agyemang, 12, at his residence in Abesim.
The case began at the Kaneshie District Court, now the Adabraka District Court, where committal proceedings were held before it was transferred to the High Court in Accra.
The prosecution, led by Nana Ama Adinkra, a Senior State Attorney, called five witnesses, while the defence team, led by Mr Faustinus Yirilabuo, called two witnesses.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, a driver and father of Louis Agyemang, resided in the same community as the accused.
On the day of the incident, Appiah allegedly lured Louis Agyemang, his half-brother, to his residence. When the boy could not be found later in the evening, a relative, Mr Akwasi Boateng, questioned the accused about his whereabouts.
The accused joined in the search, after which a report was made to the police. Mr Boateng later went to the accused’s residence and, through a window, saw the victim lying motionless in his room. The police were alerted and forced open the locked room, where they made further discoveries.
The remains of both victims were subsequently conveyed to the Police Hospital for preservation and investigation.
During investigations, the accused led police to another location where additional evidence was retrieved. A brown envelope containing GH¢7,960 was also found in his room.
Appiah was charged with two counts of murder and pleaded not guilty.
In his defence, he expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and claimed he was suffering from severe depression and hallucinations at the time of the incident. His lawyers urged the jury to return a verdict of guilty but insane, arguing that he was mentally unstable and, therefore, not criminally responsible.
The defence maintained that their client acted under delusion and did not have the mental capacity to appreciate the consequences of his actions.
However, the prosecution argued that the accused was aware of his actions and took steps to conceal evidence, indicating that he knew the difference between right and wrong. The State further argued that insanity was an exception to criminal responsibility and must be strictly proven.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.
Following the judgment, defence counsel, Mr Theophilus K. Dzimegah, indicated that the legal team would appeal the decision in the coming days.
-GNA
Ghanaian cinema continues to break boundaries as Vibes The Movie has received an official nomination at the prestigious Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) in Toronto.
This latest international recognition is another proud moment for Ghana and a powerful testament to the creativity, originality, and global appeal of Ghanaian storytelling.
Directed by Big Ghun and starring Jeffrey Nortey, Vibes The Movie evolved from the hugely successful social media series, where the beloved characters Obolo Tui and Lil Pui captured the hearts of millions with their unique blend of rap, comedy, and relatable stories about the everyday struggles and ambitions of Ghanaian youth.
The film has already brought honour to Ghana on the international stage, most recently winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the American Motion Pictures Festival in the United States.
The Chronicle noted that the film was recognized for its originality, craftsmanship, and storytelling impact among a competitive pool of global entries.
Now, with a nomination at TINFF in Canada, Vibes The Movie continues its remarkable journey from the streets of Accra to some of the world’s most respected film platforms.
The nomination underscores the growing global appreciation for authentic African stories and confirms that Ghanaian filmmakers are making a significant mark in international cinema.
As Vibes The Movie flies the Black Star high in Toronto, Ghana celebrates yet another cultural achievement that showcases the country’s talent, resilience, and storytelling excellence to the world
A prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has broken silence on the deep-seated internal machinations within the party, warning that the continuous victimization of members could severely jeopardize unity ahead of the general elections.
In a post on the party’s internal democratic processes, the former National Entrpreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) boss, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah revealed how personal ambitions were stifled by party elites in the Asante Akyem Central constituency, despite overwhelming grassroots support.
According to the aggrieved party member, the decision to run for the parliamentary seat was not a self-serving agenda but a direct response to a call to service by the local constituents.
“My Asante Akyem Central people loved my politics and approached me to come and serve them as MP,” he stated.
He added that “But my own party elders blocked me and supported the incumbent MP to cheat through the system as if I was an outsider.”
The unfair playing field he revealed led to a massive financial distress. The stalwart disclosed incurring massive debts across two consecutive primary election cycles, alongside other personal challenges.
Despite the systemic sabotage, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah noted that he remained loyal, continuously defending both the NPP party and the government’s policies at all levels.
“Seeing what’s going on in the current polling station elections in several constituencies, it seems not much has changed,” he warned.
“The victimization of those who want to challenge current or former MPs should stop,” he stated.
With the general elections approaching, he cautioned,”You don’t treat party people anyhow and expect unconditional unity for the general elections.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
