The Secondi High Court on Friday, March 5, 2021, sentenced to death, the two accused persons behind the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the 4 Takoradi girls.
The seven-member jury presiding over the kidnapping and murder of the four Takoradi girls recommended the death sentence for the two Nigerian suspects.
The two suspects, Samuel Udoetuk Wills and John Oji, both Nigerians, faced trial in connection with the kidnapping and murder of four girls; Ruth Quayson, 18; Priscilla Blessing Bentum, 21; Priscilla Koranchie, 15; and Ruth Abekah, 18, who got missing between August 2018 and January 2019.
The deceased, Ruth Abakah, 19, Priscilla Blessing Bentum, 21, Ruthlove Quaison, 18, and Priscilla Mantebea Kuranchie, 15, were captured at Kansawrado and Nkroful Junction between July and August 2018.
After months of fruitless search for the ladies, January 4, 2019, relatives, friends and some residents staged a demonstration demanding justice for the girls.
This compelled the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Benson Redeemer Dedzo hold a first and official press conference during which he gave details on how the kidnappings happened.
The kidnapping of the girls became a national issue dominating discussions in the media.
Subsequently, the then CID Boss, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo Dankwa in a press conference in Accra on 2nd April, 2019, assured the families that together with the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) they knew where the girls were and that they were safe and very soon will be brought back home.
However, the Judge has given a 30 day window for the accused to appeal, if need be.