The Juvenile Court in Accra has sentenced the second accused involved in the killing of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah for ritual purposes in 2021 at Kasoa, Central Region, to 12 months at a senior correctional centre.
This follows the High Court’s October 2024 decision to remit the minor’s sentencing to the Juvenile Court, in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Juvenile Justice Act 2003 (Act 653).
The law mandates that juveniles charged alongside adults in serious crimes, like murder, be sentenced by a juvenile court.
Background of the Case
The case gained national attention in 2021 when Ishmael Mensah Abdallah was brutally murdered by two teenagers in a ritual killing.
In October 2024, a seven-member jury unanimously found the two guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
The first convict, Nicholas Kini, now 21, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, who criticized the parents of both boys for failing in their parental responsibilities.
The second convict, then 15 years old, admitted to the crime during the trial but had his plea recorded as “Not Guilty,” as required by law in murder cases. His sentencing was deferred to the Juvenile Court.
Sentencing of the Minor
On January 21, 2025, Magistrate Bernice Mensima Ackon delivered the sentence after reviewing the Social Inquiry Report and considering submissions by the minor’s counsel.
The report revealed that the minor had been in police custody for over three years since his arrest in April 2021, a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act. The Act stipulates that a juvenile cannot be detained for more than three years.
Acknowledging that the minor had technically served the legal detention period, the court took into account the gravity of the crime and the minor’s expressed desire to learn a technical vocation.
Magistrate Ackon sentenced him to 12 months at a senior correctional centre, where he will receive vocational training to support his rehabilitation.
Emotional Courtroom Scenes
The convicted minor broke down in tears during the sentencing, expressing deep remorse. When asked if he had anything to say, he pleaded with the court and the victim’s family for forgiveness.
“I plead with the court to forgive me. It was not my intention to kill my dear friend and to end my life this way. I pray the court forgives all my sins and gives me a second chance,” he said, sobbing.
Addressing the victim’s father, who was present in court, the minor added, “I pray that Ishmael’s father forgives me. We played together for a long time. I never planned to kill him. It was the devil.”
Court’s Decision
Magistrate Ackon noted that while the minor had shown remorse, the severity of the crime warranted correctional intervention. She emphasized the importance of equipping the minor with skills for his future.
“This court has decided to sentence you to a senior correctional centre for 12 months to learn the vocation you have always dreamed of. This is to ensure you leave the system as a reformed individual,” she stated.
The sentencing marks the end of legal proceedings in the infamous Kasoa ritual murder case. While one convict begins life imprisonment, the minor’s rehabilitation journey will continue at the correctional centre, where he is expected to receive training and counseling.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the societal and parental failures that contributed to the tragedy and underscores the need for vigilant guidance of the youth.
