The High Court in Accra has sentenced Richard Appiah, a former Ghanaian footballer, to life imprisonment after convicting him of the murder of two teenagers in a case that shocked the nation.
The incident, which occurred about two years ago at Abesim in the Bono Region, drew widespread public attention after reports emerged that the bodies of the victims had been discovered in a refrigerator. The case quickly became one of the most sensational criminal trials in recent years, sparking national outrage and intense media coverage.
Following his arrest, Richard Appiah was remanded by the court to allow the Ghana Police Service to conduct further investigations. Over the course of the proceedings, the case experienced delays, partly due to legal arguments raised by the defense team.
Lawyers representing Appiah, as well as some family members, had argued that he was mentally unstable and therefore not fully responsible for his actions.
The defense’s claim of insanity became a central issue in the trial and contributed to the prolonged nature of the case.
However, in delivering judgment on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the court dismissed the insanity plea. According to updates shared by UTV Ghana and other media outlets, the judge ruled that the evidence presented did not support the claim that the accused was legally insane at the time of the offense.
In a statement reported by UTV Ghana on Facebook, it was confirmed: “The High Court in Accra has sentenced Richard Appiah, the footballer convicted of murdering two children and storing their bodies in a refrigerator at Abesim in the Bono Region of Ghana, to life imprisonment.”
The ruling brings closure to a case that deeply disturbed communities in the Bono Region and across the country. Many Ghanaians have expressed relief at the conclusion of the trial, while continuing to reflect on the tragic loss of young lives.
Legal analysts say the judgment underscores the seriousness with which the courts treat violent crimes, particularly those involving minors. The case is expected to remain a reference point in discussions about criminal justice, mental health defenses, and public safety in Ghana.
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From Opera News.
