Ex-footballer jailed for life over Abesim murder

The High Court in Accra has sentenced Richard Appiah, a former footballer, to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of two children in Abesim, Bono Region.

The verdict follows a unanimous decision by a seven-member jury in Criminal Court 1, which found Appiah guilty of murdering 12-year-old Louis Agyemang Jr. and 15-year-old Stephen Sarpong. Disturbingly, one of the victims’ bodies was discovered inside a refrigerator at the accused’s home.

The guilty verdict was delivered on Monday after both the prosecution and defence counsel addressed the jury. Justice Ruby Aryeetey, who presided over the case, then provided a detailed summing-up before the jury reached its decision.

The killings took place in August 2021. Evidence presented in court indicated that both bodies were found in a locked room in Appiah’s residence, with one lying on the floor and the other inside a refrigerator. A pathologist testified that one boy died from strangulation while the other succumbed to severe blood loss.

Appiah admitted causing the deaths but claimed he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time and did not understand the nature or wrongfulness of his actions. His defence argued that he was legally insane during the incident. The accused had undergone psychiatric evaluation and was initially deemed unfit to stand trial before later being cleared to face court proceedings.

The prosecution, however, argued that Appiah acted with clear intent. State lawyers pointed to evidence that he concealed the bodies, attempted to destroy evidence, and even took part in search efforts to deflect suspicion, actions they said demonstrated deliberate awareness and planning.

The prosecution called five witnesses to support its case. In his defence, Appiah testified and called one additional witness—his father.