The Juvenile Court in Accra has sentenced a 15-year-old Juvenile who was convicted together with 18-year-old Nicholas Kini to 12 months imprisonment over the death of Ishmael Mensah Abdella in an alleged ritual murder at Kasoa.
The Court in sentencing the juvenile who was found guilty by a seven-member jury at the High Court in October last year was sentenced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
In sentencing, the Juvenile Court said it took into consideration the fact that the juvenile had been in lawful custody since April 2021 and provisions in the Juvenile Justice Act.
The Magistrate Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon prior to sentencing also took into consideration a social enquiry report on the convicted juvenile.
On October 24, 2024, the juvenile who is now 18 years and Nicholas Kiki now 21 were unanimously found guilty by a jury panel of seven for two charges – conspiracy and murder.
While Nicholas Kini was sentenced for life in prison because he is an adult, the juvenile was remitted to the Juvenile Court for sentencing due to his age.
“By necessary implication the High Court is the court with exclusive jurisdiction to try a capital offence preferred against a juvenile and shall hear it summarily,” the Court said while pointing to Article 140 of 1992 Constitution.
“For this reason, this court has no jurisdiction to pronounce sentence on the 1st accused person (convict).
“I hereby remit him to the juvenile court within the jurisdiction of this court to sentence him. He should remain in the custody of the police until he is dealt with in accordance of the law at the juvenile court.
“The 1st accused person (15-year-old) should be sent to the juvenile court latest by 12th November, 2024 to be dealt in accordance with law,” Justice Osei Marfo directed.
