The Ho High Court has handed down stiff sentences to three individuals found guilty in connection with the brutal murder of Marcus Mawutor Adzahli, the former Assembly Member for the Sogakope South Electoral Area.
Presiding over the case, Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah sentenced Richard Adikyere to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and robbery. Two other convicts, Emmanuel Xetro and Stephen Adzibolo, were each sentenced to 47 years imprisonment, bringing the total sentence between them to 94 years.
The court concluded that the trio played direct roles in the coordinated attack that claimed the life of Mr. Adzahli in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2020, at his residence in Sogakope. The gruesome killing sparked outrage across the Volta Region and beyond, prompting a high-level investigation by the Ghana Police Service.
Two additional suspects, Samuel Zotorvi and Christian Zotorvi, who were earlier found guilty in the same case, are already serving 15-year sentences each.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Geoffrey Adzahli, the father of the late Assembly Member, described the sentencing as bittersweet. He acknowledged the emotional and financial toll the loss has had on their family, describing his son as the household’s breadwinner. Nonetheless, he praised the police and judicial service for pursuing the case to a successful conclusion.
“They did a great job. This is a victory for justice, and I thank everyone who contributed,” Mr. Adzahli said.
Senior State Attorney, Andrews Dodzi Aduguin, who prosecuted the case, noted the verdict as a strong statement from the justice system. He emphasized the state’s commitment to curbing rising crime rates, especially in the Volta Region.
“This verdict is a testament to our resolve to ensure justice is served,” he told Class News, while urging young people to steer clear of criminal activities and focus on productive ventures.
The conviction and sentencing are expected to bring a measure of closure to the family and serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate violent crime.
By Peter Quao Adattor
