Kasoa ritual murder: Whatever happened, we did it together – 15-yr-old opens defence

The 15-year-old Juvenile who is standing trial together with an 18-year-old young offender has told the High Court in Accra that, they both committed the offence as charged.

According to him, “Whatever happened in the case, myself and the 2nd Accused (18-year-old) accused did it.”

In his opening statement to the High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo as part of his evidence-in-chief, the juvenile said they committed the act together despite the 2nd Accused denying his involvement all along.

“I want to tell the Court that whatever happened in this case, myself and the 2nd accused did it.

“When this issue happened, there were four persons arrested. We were three boys and one girl.

“The boy who was released, the Police asked me if the other boy was part of us. I was the one who informed the Police that he was not part of us.

“They asked whether 2nd accused was part and I said yes. What I want to tell the Court is that if the 2nd accused is denying that he does not know anything about it then there is nothing I can say.

“But if he was not part I would not have mentioned his name,” the Juvenile told the Court on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Two teenagers – a 15-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old young offender (both names withheld) have been charged for the death of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah who is said to be their friend.

Though the 15-year-old admitted the offence while his plea was being taken, the court entered a not guilty plea for him instead as the law enjoins the court for the jury to determine the matter upon full trial.

But, the 18-year-old who together with the 15-year-old had been charged with conspiracy to commit and murder, had denied the charges all along.