The convicts leaving the court
The Ho High Court has delivered a long-awaited verdict in the gruesome murder case of Marcus Mawutor Adzahli, the former Assembly Member for the Sogakope South Electoral Area, sentencing three men for their roles in the crime.
The court, presided over by Justice John Ekow Mensah, handed a life sentence to Richard Adikyere, who was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and robbery. His accomplices, Emmanuel Xetro and Stephen Adzibolo, were each sentenced to 47 years in prison on similar charges.
On March 1, 2020, at about 1:30 a.m., Richard Adikyere, Stephen Adzibolo, and others broke into Marcus Mawutor Adzahli’s home in Sogakope using cement blocks.
The convicts, according to court documents, were armed with a pump action gun and two pistols, one of which Richard Adikyere had stolen in a previous robbery.
They fatally shot the Assembly Member three times at close range. A post-mortem examination conducted at the Sogakope District Hospital confirmed that Mr. Adzahli died from severe head and chest injuries.
The attackers stole a significant amount of money from the residence before fleeing.
According to the prosecution, one of the convicts, Emmanuel Hedzro, used part of his share of the stolen money to purchase a motorbike valued at GH¢4,800.
They were later apprehended at various locations, including Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.
During police interrogations, Richard Adikyere confessed to shooting Mr. Adzahli with the pump action gun.
The court noted the brutal and calculated nature of the crime, and cited overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution as the basis for the convictions.
In earlier proceedings, four other individuals, Obed Ayornu, Michael Sam, Samuel Kofi Zotorvi and his brother Christian Zotorvi pleaded guilty as part of plea deals and were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Emotions ran high following the judgement, as Richard Adikyere, who was handcuffed, attempted to attack journalists who were trying to take photographs of them.
Geoffrey Adzahli, father of the deceased, described the loss as a devastating blow to the family, stating that his son was their breadwinner.
Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude to the Ghana Police Service and investigators for their dedication in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“They did a great job. This is a victory for justice, and I thank everyone who contributed,” he stated.
Senior State Attorney Andrews Dodzi Adugu expressed concern over the rising incidence of crime in the country.
However, he reassured the public that the state remains committed to enforcing law and order.
The case has attracted significant public attention, and the verdict is expected to serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar offenses.
BY Daniel K. Orlando, Ho