Teen Killer Gets Life Term in Kasoa Ritual Murder

In a harrowing conclusion to a three-year legal battle, the High Court has found two suspects guilty of the ritualistic murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa.

Nicholas Kini, who was 18 at the time of the crime, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2021 tragedy.

The other suspect, who was 15 during the incident, will face sentencing in juvenile court due to age restrictions.

Investigators revealed that the plot to murder the boy was inspired by a video of a spiritualist claiming wealth in exchange for human blood and GH¢5,000.

The first suspect confessed to reaching out to Kini, who suggested consulting a fetish priest. The priest demanded the money and human blood as part of their sinister plan, which initially involved kidnapping the boy for ransom.

The victim was lured to an abandoned building under the pretense of playing a game. Once there, he was brutally attacked and ultimately buried alive, with suffocation confirmed as the cause of death by a pathologist.

The prosecution’s case featured testimonies from seven witnesses, including the victim’s father and police officials.

The father recounted the harrowing moment he discovered his son’s body after returning home.

The first suspect’s sister testified to seeing both suspects at the scene, leading to the eventual uncovering of the crime.

While the first suspect admitted to conspiracy but denied murder, Kini pleaded not guilty and claimed an alibi that the court deemed unsubstantiated.

After thorough deliberation, the jury unanimously found both teenagers guilty.

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo emphasized the need for careful consideration of the evidence, appealing to the jury’s sense of justice. Kini will serve life in prison, while the juvenile court will determine the consequences for the younger suspect.