By Trendsetter Tribune 
ACCRA, Ghana — In a verdict that has brought a somber closure to one of Ghana’s most gruesome criminal cases, the Accra High Court has sentenced Richard Appiah to life imprisonment. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, a seven-member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against the 26-year-old footballer and businessman for the 2021 murders of two children in Abesim, located in the Bono Region.
The case, which drew international attention for its macabre nature, concluded after years of psychiatric evaluations and legal delays that tested the patience of the victims’ families.
The Verdict and Sentencing
The trial, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, culminated in a swift deliberation following the final addresses from the prosecution and defense.
- The Charges: Appiah was convicted on two counts of murder.
- The Sentence: Under Ghanaian law, the mandatory sentence for murder is death; however, following the 2023 abolition of the death penalty for most crimes, the court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment.
- Judicial Remark: Justice Aryeetey described the crimes as “an affront to humanity,” noting that the cold and calculated nature of the killings warranted the maximum available penalty under the current law.
A Recap of the “Abesim Horror”
The case began in August 2021, when the father of one of the victims, assisted by local youth, forced their way into Appiah’s residence after his son went missing.
- The Discovery: Searchers found the dismembered remains of 12-year-old Louis Agyemang Junior and 15-year-old Stephen Sarpong stored in a refrigerator. A third victim’s remains, identified as an adult, were found in a nearby bush.
- The Evidence: Police recovered a “murder room” containing blood-stained rugs, a machete, and several mobile phones. During the trial, forensic evidence and Appiah’s own initial (though later contested) confessions played a pivotal role.
- The Motive: While rumors of “ritual killing” swirled through Abesim for years, the prosecution focused on the forensic facts of the homicide, as a definitive motive remained elusive throughout the proceedings.
Reaction from the Families and Community
The atmosphere outside the Accra High Court was one of heavy relief as the families of the young victims heard the final judgment.
| Stakeholder | Reaction |
| The Agyemang Family | Expressed that while no sentence can bring their son back, “the law has finally spoken.” |
| Abesim Community | Local leaders called for increased vigilance and community policing to prevent such “monstrous acts” in the future. |
| Human Rights Groups | Welcomed the conviction as a testament to the resilience of the Ghanaian judicial system, despite the long duration of the trial. |
“Today, the souls of those innocent children can finally find rest. This case serves as a reminder that the wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they do turn.” — Senior State Attorney, Feb 24, 2026
What’s Next?
Appiah’s legal team has signaled that they may file an appeal, previously citing concerns over his mental state during the time of the incident, despite a court-ordered psychiatric report from Accra Psychiatric Hospital declaring him fit to stand trial in late 2024. For now, Appiah will be transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin his life term.
Richard Appiah, a 26-year-old footballer and businessman, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Accra High Court of Ghana after being found guilty of murdering two children at Abesim in the Bono Region.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) February 24, 2026
Investigations revealed that he killed the victims and kept their… pic.twitter.com/VPUwTKqt7t