The High Court in Wa has sentenced 44-year-old Shariff Abdulai, popularly known as “Cristos,” to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the murder of 23 people across three regions in northern Ghana.
The conviction brings an end to a series of killings that had unsettled communities in the Upper West, Savannah, and Bono regions, sparking months of intensive investigations by the Ghana Police Service.
In a dramatic turn of events during his arraignment, Abdulai, through his counsel, entered a plea of guilty simpliciter to the charge of murder.
He confessed to committing all 23 killings, providing a chilling breakdown of his crimes: 16 victims in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi.
According to a police press release dated March 4, Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025, following what authorities described as “sustained intelligence-led operations and investigations.”
He was initially processed and committed to stand trial by the District Magistrate’s Court before being arraigned before the High Court.
Presiding over the case, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi accepted the guilty plea and, after considering the circumstances, handed down a sentence of life imprisonment with hard labour.
The court has ordered that Abdulai be transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to serve his sentence.
The Upper West Regional Police Command hailed the conviction as a testament to the security agencies’ unwavering determination to ensure justice for victims of violent crimes.
“The conviction demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens,” the Command stated, reaffirming its dedication to thorough investigations and public safety.
