The High Court in Ho, presided over by Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah, has sentenced 38-year-old mason Richard Adikyere to life imprisonment for his involvement in the armed robbery and murder of Sogakope Assembly Member, Mawutor Adzahli—five years after the brutal attack.
Two of his accomplices, Kwame Adzibolo and Edem Ayornu, were each handed 47-year prison terms for their involvement in the same crime. The trial was presided over by Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah.
Senior State Attorney(ASA) Andrews Dodzi Adugu told the court that the attack was premeditated and orchestrated by the accused, who acted on insider information.
The plot was set in motion in early 2020 when the first accused, Robert Hedzro, informed Adikyere about a supposed wealthy businessman in Sogakope—who turned out to be the late assemblyman.
Hedzro then led Adikyere to the victim’s house to familiarize him with the location. Adikyere, in turn, mobilized a gang, including Adzibolo and Ayornu, to execute the robbery.
According to the prosecution, in the early hours of March 1, 2020, at around 1:30 a.m., the gang, armed with a pump-action shotgun and two pistols, stormed the home of the late Adzahli. Using cement blocks, they forcefully broke into the residence.
Adikyere was identified as the one who fatally shot Adzahli three times at close range—striking him in the head and chest. The gang made away with a significant amount of cash from the house.
A post-mortem conducted at the Sogakope District Hospital confirmed the victim died from gunshot wounds to vital organs.
Following intensive investigations, police arrested the suspects at various locations, including Ashaiman. It emerged during the trial that Hedzro had used part of his share of the stolen money to purchase a motorcycle worth GH¢4,800.
In his confession, Adikyere admitted to pulling the trigger, stating that he used a pump-action gun stolen during a prior robbery.
In delivering the verdict, the judge described the crime as “heinous and callous,” adding that the prosecution had presented compelling evidence that left no doubt about the guilt of the accused.
As officers led the convicts out of the courtroom, a visibly agitated Adikyere, handcuffed to Hedzro, attempted to lunge at journalists who were trying to take photographs of them.