A High Court in Wa has sentenced a suspected serial killer to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder committed across the Upper West and Savannah regions.
The convict, Shariff Abdulai, popularly known as “Cristos,” admitted to killing Issah Yahaya and 22 other victims in a series of attacks carried out in several communities.
In a statement issued on March 4, 2026, the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper West Region confirmed that the sentence was handed down by the High Court in Wa after Abdulai pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to the police, the convict confessed to murdering 16 people in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi, bringing the total number of victims to 23.
Investigations by the Ghana Police Service revealed that Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025, following sustained intelligence-led operations by security agencies.
After his arrest, he was first taken through committal proceedings at a District Magistrate Court before being formally arraigned before the High Court in Wa on March 4, 2026.
During the hearing, Abdulai—who was represented by legal counsel—entered a guilty plea to the charges.
Upon his own plea, the presiding judge, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment with hard labour.
Authorities said Abdulai will serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
The Upper West Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order and assured the public that it will continue to intensify efforts to protect law-abiding citizens.
