Abesim murder case: Jury to decide Richard Appiah's fate on February 24

A High Court in Accra has scheduled 24 February 2026 for the jury to deliver its verdict in the trial of Richard Appiah, who is accused of murdering two minors and storing the dismembered body parts of one of them in a refrigerator at Abesim, near Sunyani.

The court fixed the date after the accused, a draughtsman and footballer, ended his defence. He testified in his own defence and called two additional witnesses: his father and a psychiatrist.

Appiah has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.

In court on 20 January 2026, after completing questioning from prosecutors, Appiah called a police psychiatrist who assessed his mental health when he was first arrested.

His lawyers are advancing an insanity defence, arguing he was not mentally stable at the time the alleged offences occurred.

In all, the State called six witnesses, including the parents of the victims. After the prosecution closed its case and the defence cross-examined the witnesses, the court ruled that there was a case to answer, paving the way for the defence to begin.

The victims named in the case are Louis Agyemang (12) and Stephen Sarpong (15).

The trial judge, Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has directed the prosecution and defence to file their final written submissions at the same time on 20 February 2026.

On 24 February, both sides will address the jury orally. The judge will then sum up the case before the seven-member jury withdraws to deliberate and return a verdict, which court reporting says will be binding on the court.

Key dates at a glance

31 May 2023: Bill of indictment filed

26 May 2025: Prosecution began calling witnesses

20 Feb 2026: Closing written submissions due

24 Feb 2026: Jury addresses and verdict process begins