Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the trial judge overseeing the case involving a 15-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old young offender accused of murdering 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah for an alleged money ritual, began with the statement, “The summing up is not ready.”
Their fate, anticipated to be determined on May 7, 2024, was postponed when the court declared that the summing up wasn’t prepared during the scheduled closing addresses and subsequent summing up for the jury.
Both individuals face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of the 10-year-old.
Upon calling the case, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo announced, “Our summing up is not ready,” setting June 24 as the new date for closing addresses and summing up, citing “circumstances beyond” its control.
The trial concluded on February 14, with the defense lawyers granted permission to submit their written submissions post-March 14, as per the court’s orders. Senior State Attorney Dorcas Fellie confirmed the prosecution’s compliance with the court’s directives regarding written submissions.
Disappointment rippled through the late Ishmael Mensah Abdellah’s family members present in court at the adjournment.
Background:
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, the second accused (18-year-old) concluded his case without calling witnesses, following the State Prosecutors’ indication of the end of cross-examination led by Senior State Attorney Nana Adoma Osei.
After evidence closure, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo instructed both parties to file final closing addresses by March 14, with further directives promised post-compliance.
The prosecution called seven witnesses, including the 15-year-old juvenile’s father, mother, and sister. While the juvenile confessed to the offense, stating they “committed the crime together,” the young offender denied the charges.