Eight individuals have been sentenced by the Ho High Court, in the volta region, for their involvement in the murder in 2020, of Marcus Mawutor Adzahli, the former Assembly Member for the Sogakope South Electoral Area in the Volta Region.
Mr Justice John Ekow Mensah, who presiding over the case, handed a life sentence to Richard Adikyere, a mason, the identified ringleader of the group, and convicted him on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of firearms without lawful authority and robbery.
Adikyere in addition received 47 years for robbery, which runs concurrently after pleading not guilty, but the court found him guilty.
Two of his accomplices, Emmanuel Hedzro and Stephen Adzibolo, were each sentenced to 47 years in prison in hard labour.
Four other accused persons—Obed Ayornu, Michael Sam, Samuel Kofi Zotorvi, and Christian Zotorvi—accepted plea bargains during the trial and were each sentenced to 15-years imprisonment.
This was after they had entered plea deals with the court but pleaded guilty for their complicity in the case.
According to the prosecution, the crime occurred on March 1, 2020, at approximately 0130 hours, when Adikyere and his accomplices forcibly entered Mr. Adzahli’s residence in Sogakope using cement blocks to break down the doors.
Armed with a pump-action shotgun and two pistols—one of which had been stolen in a prior robbery—the assailants shot Mr. Adzahli at close range.
A post-mortem examination conducted at the Sogakope District Hospital confirmed he died from severe gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
The attackers fled the scene after stealing a significant amount of cash.
Investigators later discovered that one of the convicts, Emmanuel Hedzro, used part of the stolen money to purchase a motorbike valued at GH¢4,800.
The suspects were eventually arrested at various locations, including Ashaiman, following a coordinated police investigation.
During interrogation, Adikyere admitted to firing the fatal shots.
Giving judgement, the court said it took into consideration the heinous and barbaric circumstances of the offences by the convicts killing a productive human being.
The court described the evidence presented by the prosecution as overwhelming and conclusive.
Tensions briefly flared after the verdict, as Adikyere, in handcuffs, attempted to attack journalists, who were photographing him outside the courtroom.
Speaking to the press, Geoffrey Adzahli, father of the deceased, described his son’s death as a profound loss, noting that Marcus had been the family’s primary provider.
Despite the emotional toll, he expressed gratitude to the investigative team and the Ghana Police Service for their efforts in securing justice.
“They did an excellent job. This is a victory for justice, and I thank everyone who contributed to this outcome,” he said.
Andrews Dodzi Adugu, a Senior State Attorney praised the verdict and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
He also urged Ghanaian youth to shun criminal activity and pursue productive endeavors.
