Wa serial killing: Serial killer handed life imprisonment 

The Wa High Court, preside over by His Lordship, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, on Wednesday, sentenced Shariff Abdulai, popularly known as “Cristos”, to life imprisonment in hard labour, to be served at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. 

The judgement was passed based on the accused person’s, now a convict, own plea of guilty to killing 23 people in some communities in northern Ghana. 

A statement issued by DCOP Mr Francis Yiribaare, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, said the convict admitted to killing 16 people in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi. 

According to the statement, Shariff Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025, after extensive intelligence-led investigations into the serial killings, which occurred in these areas, particularly Wa. 

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

“The accused 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 In Hard labour”, parts of the statement read. 

The Upper West Regional Police Command had assured the public of its continued dedication to protecting lives and property and urged residents to support the police with information to help combat crime. 

It could be recalled that the Upper West Region, particularly Wa was plagued with a series of mysterious murders between 2021 and 2022. 

A total of 15 murder cases were recorded in the region within that period involving mainly night watchmen who were found dead at their duty posts. 

The recent victim was Mr Issah Yahaya, a night watchman who was found dead in a motor mechanic shop at Dobile, near the New Market on September 21, 2025, which brought the number of the murder victims in the region to 16. 

Source: GNA