The High Court in Wa has handed a life sentence to 44-year-old Shariff Abdulai, also known as “Cristos,” after he confessed to the murder of 23 people in a killing spree across three regions of northern Ghana.
Abdulai pleaded guilty to all charges on Tuesday, admitting to the deaths of 16 individuals in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi.
His arrest on October 6, 2025, was the culmination of extensive intelligence-led operations by the police, who had been investigating a series of unsettling murders in the Upper West, Savannah, and Bono regions.
Following his arrest and subsequent committal by a District Magistrate’s Court, Abdulai was arraigned before the High Court. Represented by legal counsel, he entered a plea of “guilty simpliciter” to the murder charges.
Presiding Judge, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, accepted the plea and sentenced Abdulai to life imprisonment with hard labour.
The court has ordered that the convict be transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to serve his sentence.
The Upper West Regional Police Command has lauded the conviction as a testament to the security agencies’ commitment to delivering justice for victims of violent crime.
The Command reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
