The Wa High Court has sentenced a 33-year-old Elisha Mahama Akpanichie to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr. Eric Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, also known as Jirapa Dubai, a hospitality facility in the Upper West Region.
The tragic incident occurred on February 11, 2024, in Jirapa, where Mr. Johnson was brutally murdered and the convict escaped.
According to a press release signed by the Upper West Regional Police Commander, Assitant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. Francis Yibaare, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the Ghana Police Service launched a swift investigation, leading to Akpanichie’s arrest in the Central Region.
Comprehensive investigations were conducted, and the necessary evidence gathered, which have ensured a successful prosecution.
Following a trial presided over by His Lordship Justice Alhaji Yussif Assibey, Akpanichie was found guilty of murder.
He will serve his life sentence at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison.
Two other accused persons, Belinda Miller and Kweku Kumbata, were acquitted and discharged.
The Upper West Regional Police Command commended the investigators, prosecutors, witnesses, and the public for their support throughout the case.
The Command reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is delivered for all victims of crime in the Region.
