Omanghana
An Accra High Court has sentenced Lydia Aboagye, a petty trader and mother of two, to life imprisonment after a jury found her guilty of murdering her husband, Kweku Gyasi, during a domestic dispute in 2021.
Justice Marie-Louise Simmons imposed the sentence after a seven-member jury returned a 5–2 majority verdict against Aboagye. The jurors deliberated for 39 minutes before their forelady announced the decision on July 30, 2026.
Under Section 46 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal and Other Offences (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1101), the 5–2 decision met the minimum majority required to support a conviction.
“With the jury having returned a majority verdict of 5–2 of guilty, the accused is hereby convicted under Section 46 of Act 29, as amended by the Criminal and Other Offences (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1101),” Justice Simmons said before imposing the life sentence.
The case arose from an incident at Omanjor-Dwenewoho, near California School in Accra, where Aboagye and Gyasi rented a single room and lived with their two children.
According to the prosecution, a disagreement broke out between the couple at about 4:30 a.m. on November 3, 2021. During the altercation, Aboagye picked up a broken Coca-Cola bottle and stabbed her husband in the left side of his ribcage.
Prosecutors said Gyasi began bleeding heavily following the stabbing. Aboagye then allegedly left the room, locked him inside and walked approximately 150 metres away to dispose of the broken bottle in a nearby bush.
At about 5:30 a.m., the landlord’s daughter reportedly heard unusual noises coming from the couple’s room while sweeping the compound. She informed her father, who had just finished his early-morning Fajr prayers.
The landlord forced the locked door open and found Gyasi lying in a pool of blood. With assistance from other tenants and neighbours, he transported the injured man to the Ga West Municipal Hospital, also known as the Amasaman Government Hospital.
Gyasi was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later taken to the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
The prosecution further alleged that Aboagye returned to the room after the incident and attempted to clean bloodstains from the floor with a cloth. Neighbours subsequently restrained her and handed her over to the police for investigation.
Senior State Attorney Christabel Selma Anafure led the prosecution and called three witnesses to establish the state’s case.
Aboagye was represented by defence lawyer Rita Kunkuti Ali. She testified in her own defence and called her mother as her only witness.
Following the presentation of evidence and final arguments, Justice Simmons summarized the case for the jury on July 30, one day before the beginning of the legal vacation.
Five jurors found Aboagye guilty, while two voted against conviction. The judge subsequently adopted the majority verdict and convicted her of murder.
Before the sentence was delivered, Aboagye was allowed to address the court. She responded briefly: “I have nothing to say.”
Justice Simmons sentenced her to life imprisonment and informed her of her right to challenge the conviction before the Court of Appeal.
Aboagye has one month from July 30, 2026, to file an appeal. Any appeal could challenge the jury’s verdict, legal directions given during the trial, the admission or evaluation of evidence, or other aspects of the proceedings.
The conviction concludes a trial that began after Aboagye was formally charged over the fatal incident. Unless the decision is overturned or modified on appeal, she will continue serving the life sentence imposed by the High Court.
Source: Omanghana
