Murder of Sogakope assembly member: Mason jailed for life, 2 others get 94 years in jail

Five years after the assembly member for Sogakope, Mawutor Adzahli, was killed, justice has been served. The ringleader, Richard Adikyere, a mason, received a life sentence. He was convicted of robbery and murder.

The court in Ho was presided over by Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah. Two accomplices were sentenced to 47 years each for their roles in the robbery. They are Emmanuel Hedzro and Stephen Adzibolo.

Adikyere pleaded not guilty to all charges. The two accomplices also pleaded not guilty to robbery. However, the court found all three guilty.

Four other accomplices had earlier entered plea deals. Obed Ayornu, Michael Sam, Samuel Kofi Zotorvi, and Christian Zotorvi each received 15-year sentences.

The court heard that Hedzro informed Adikyere about a wealthy merchant in Sogakope in 2020. He instructed Adikyere to recruit a gang for the robbery. Hedzro then showed Adikyere where the assembly member lived.

On March 1, 2020, at about 1:30 am, Adikyere and his gang broke into Mawuli Adzahli's house using cement blocks. They used firearms belonging to Adikyere during the operation.

Adikyere shot the assembly member three times before stealing money from his home. A post-mortem revealed he died from gunshot wounds to his head and chest.

Days later, police arrested the accused at various locations including Ashaiman. During questioning, Adikyere admitted he shot and killed the assembly member with a pump-action gun.

It was revealed that he stole this gun during another robbery incident. In delivering judgment, the court noted the heinous nature of their crimes.

The overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution also influenced their decision. As they left court handcuffed together, Adikyere attempted to attack journalists taking photos of them.