The High Court in Accra has sentenced Daniel Obirikwah Adjin to life imprisonment for the murder of his elder brother, William Adjin. The sentencing followed a 5-2 jury verdict delivered on Monday.
The case stemmed from a gruesome incident on March 19, 2017 at Mamprobi, where Daniel stabbed William multiple times, resulting in his death.
Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, presiding over the case, rejected the defense’s claim of self-defense, emphasising that Daniel was the aggressor.
Witnesses
According to evidence presented, Daniel, a blacksmith, returned home heavily intoxicated on the night of the murder and accused those in the household of stealing his money.
Armed with a kitchen knife, he confronted his elder brother on the porch, leading to a violent altercation.
Witnesses, including Daniel Adjei Adjin, the son of the deceased, testified that he saw the convict repeatedly stabbing his father in the neck, causing severe bleeding.
Despite his father’s weakened state, the convicted uncle continued attempting to stab him.
The son intervened, restraining the convict while shouting for help. A neighbour, Sarah Amoafo (alias Sister Yoyo), responded to the commotion and sought further assistance from neighbours.
When the neighbours arrived, they struggled to disarm the convict, until the knife he was holding broke.
The judge narrated that the injured William Adjin was then rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Accident Centre, but within an hour, the nurses confirmed his death.
The court quoted the witness as saying: “My father was lying in a pool of blood and Daniel was still trying to stab him.”
The son of the deceased later reported the incident to the Mamprobi Police Station and provided a formal statement the following day, March 20, 2017.
Eyewitnesses, including a neighbour, corroborated the account, saying they saw Daniel holding the knife during the attack.
Another witness, Dorinda Adjin, the deceased’s daughter, testified that her father named Daniel as his attacker shortly before passing away.
The court noted her chilling encounter with Daniel the following morning, when he allegedly confessed to the crime and threatened to harm her.
Forensic Evidence
A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Lawrence Edusei revealed that William suffered multiple stab wounds, including injuries to his collarbone, ribs, lungs, and heart. The cause of death was identified as exsanguination due to severe blood loss.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
The prosecution, led by ASP Richard Appiah Danquah, argued that Daniel intentionally initiated the attack and posed a continuous threat during the incident.
The defense, however, maintained that Daniel acted in self-defense, claiming the deceased had attacked him first by squeezing his testicles during an argument.
The court dismissed the self-defense claim, citing Daniel’s initial aggressive behavior and possession of the knife as key factors establishing his culpability.
Judgment and Sentencing
In delivering the judgment, the court found that the prosecution had presented compelling direct evidence, including eyewitness testimonies and forensic reports.
The jury returned a majority guilty verdict, prompting the presiding judge to sentence Daniel to life imprisonment under Section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The court underscored the gravity of the offense, noting that the loss of life in such a brutal manner warranted the harsh sentence.
