In a significant legal ruling, a retired military officer and a pastor were found guilty of manslaughter related to the death of Solomon Dapaah, following a dispute over a suspected counterfeit GH¢50 note. The verdict, delivered by a seven-member jury panel at the High Court in Accra, resulted in a conviction for both men on charges of conspiracy and manslaughter.
The jury’s decision was marked by a 5-2 majority on the conspiracy charge, while the manslaughter charge was met with a unanimous guilty verdict. Presiding over the case, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, who serves on the Court of Appeal, sentenced the defendants—identified as Joseph Abusah, the retired officer, and Pastor Benjamin Kofi Agbetiafah—to six months in prison on both counts, with the sentences set to run concurrently.
The events leading to the tragic incident unfolded on March 1, 2018, when Abusah visited Agbetiafah at his mother’s shop in New Abladjei. During the visit, Dapaah, aged 32, purchased a drink and paid with the disputed note. After the transaction, Agbetiafah’s mother suspected the note was fake and raised an alarm after Dapaah left the scene.
In a bid to confront Dapaah, Abusah and Agbetiafah pursued him in a pickup truck, eventually cornering him at the outskirts of New Abiadjei. In the ensuing altercation, Dapaah became ensnared in a barbed wire fence and was subsequently beaten by the two men until he lost consciousness. They tied him up and transported him to the Agbogba police station, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A post-mortem examination indicated that Dapaah died from severe head injuries resulting from the physical assault. Following these findings, Abusah and Agbetiafah were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and manslaughter.
During the sentencing phase, the defense attorney argued for leniency, highlighting their consistent court attendance and status as first-time offenders. They also noted the personal circumstances of the defendants, including Agbetiafah’s recent marriage and his responsibilities toward his elderly mother.
In contrast, the prosecution urged the court to consider the gravity of the crime and its impact on the victim’s family and society. The State Attorney emphasized the need for a sentence that serves as a deterrent against similar acts of violence.
In delivering the sentence, Justice Marfo acknowledged the mitigating factors presented but underscored the necessity for justice in light of the violent nature of the crime. The court ultimately deemed the six-month prison term appropriate given the circumstances surrounding the case.
