Man who confessed to killing 23 people jailed for life

By Ayorinde Oluokun

A High Court in Wa area of Ghana on Wednesday sentenced a serial killer identified as Shariff Abdulai, alias ‘Cristos’ to life imprisonment for the murder of one Issah Yahaya and 22.

This was announced in a statement by the Ghana Police Service on Wednesday.

The Police Service, in a statement published on its website, said Abdulai pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him confessed to killing 23 people across various parts of Ghana in court.

“The convict pleaded guilty to killing sixteen (16) people in Wa, five (5) in Bole and one (1) each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi,” the GPA said in the statement signed by Mr. Francis Yiribaare, DCOP Regional Police Commander/UWR.

Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025 by the police following sustained, intelligence-led operations and investigations.

He was subsequently arraigned before the High Court on March 4, 2026, after committal from the District Magistrate Court.

The statement indicated that Abdulai was represented by counsel and pleaded guilty simpliciter to the charge.

Upon his own plea, the presiding Judge, His Lordship Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, sentenced him to life imprisonment with hard labour.

According to the statement, the convict will serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

“The Command reaffirm its unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and will not relent in the efforts in ensuring a safe and secure atmosphere for law-abiding citizens.