The Wa High Court has sentenced a convicted serial killer, Shariff Abdulai, popularly known as “Cristos”, to life imprisonment with hard labour after he pleaded guilty to the murder of 23 people across several communities in northern Ghana.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by presiding judge Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, bringing an end to a disturbing case that had generated fear across multiple districts in the northern part of the country.
According to a statement released by the Ghana Police Service, Abdulai confessed to carrying out a series of brutal killings in different communities within the Upper West Region and neighbouring areas. Investigators revealed that sixteen of the victims were murdered in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi.
Police said Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025, after months of intelligence-led operations aimed at tracking down the individual responsible for a string of mysterious killings that had unsettled residents. Communities in the affected areas had reportedly lived in fear as authorities intensified investigations to identify the suspect behind the murders.
Following his arrest, the accused was put before a District Magistrate Court, which committed him to stand trial at the High Court. On March 4, 2026, he was formally arraigned before the Wa High Court where he admitted to the charges brought against him.
During the proceedings, Abdulai pleaded guilty simpliciter, meaning he admitted to the charges without any qualification. Based on his own plea, the court proceeded to convict him and handed down a life sentence with hard labour.
In its official statement after the ruling, police confirmed that the convict will serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
The case had drawn significant national attention due to the unusually high number of victims involved and the fear the killings generated in several communities. Residents in affected areas had expressed concern over their safety before the suspect was finally apprehended.
Regional Police Commander for the Upper West Region, Francis Yiribaare, described the conviction as a major step toward restoring confidence in the security services and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
He emphasised that the police remain committed to protecting citizens and maintaining law and order across the region.
“The Command reaffirms its unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and will not relent in its efforts to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere for law-abiding citizens,” DCOP Yiribaare stated.
Authorities say the successful prosecution closes a significant chapter in the investigation into the killings, while also sending a strong message that violent crimes will not go unpunished.
The life sentence handed down by the court ensures that Abdulai will spend the rest of his life behind bars, marking a decisive end to one of the most disturbing criminal cases recorded in the region in recent years.
