By Brain Akutei-Azu Mateko
The Wa High Court has sentenced 33-year-old Elisha Mahama Akpanichie to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Eric Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, popularly known as Jirapa Dubai, in the Upper West Region.
According to the Upper West Regional Police Command, the judgment was delivered on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, bringing closure to a case that shocked many across the country.
The incident occurred on February 11, 2024, when Akpanichie brutally killed Mr Johnson at Jirapa and fled the scene. Police launched a swift, intelligence-led operation that led to his arrest in the Central Region shortly after the murder.
After months of investigation and a full trial, His Lordship Justice Alhaji Yussif Assibey found Akpanichie guilty of murder and sentenced him to serve his term at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison.
Two other individuals, Belinda Miller and Kweku Kumbata, who were standing trial in connection with the case, were acquitted and discharged by the court.
The Upper West Regional Police Command commended the investigators, prosecutors, witnesses, and members of the public who assisted in the case. The Command reaffirmed its commitment to justice and the rule of law, assuring the public that it will continue to work diligently to ensure all victims of crime receive justice.
