The High Court in Wa has sentenced a serial killer to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder across the Upper West and Savannah regions.

In a press release dated March 4, 2026, and issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper West Region, the Court handed down the sentence to Shariff Abdulai, also known as “Cristos,” for the murder of Issah Yahaya and 22 others.

According to the statement, Abdulai pleaded guilty to killing 16 people in Wa, five in Bole and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi.

Police said the convict was arrested on October 6, 2025, following what they described as sustained, intelligence-led operations and investigations.

He was subsequently arraigned before the High Court in Wa on March 4, 2026, after committal proceedings at the District Magistrate Court. Represented by counsel, Abdulai pleaded guilty to the charges.

Upon his own plea, the presiding judge, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, sentenced him to life imprisonment in hard labour.

The statement indicated that the convict will serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

The Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and assured the public that it would not relent in its efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for law-abiding citizens.