The High Court in Wa has today sentenced Elisha Mahama, the principal suspect in the murder of Eric Johnson, owner of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, popularly known as Jirapa Dubai, to life imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered after a unanimous 7–0 decision by the jury, which found Mahama, who served as the Human Resource Manager of the luxury resort, guilty of murder.
Two other accused persons, Belinda Miller and Kweku Kombata, were acquitted and discharged by the court after nearly a year-long trial that gripped the Upper West Region.
Following the judgment, Principal State Attorney, Lawyer Saeed Abdul Shakur, representing the Johnson family, expressed partial satisfaction with the outcome.
“I’m excited to an extent. The wheels of justice, they say, grind slowly. We may never get Eric Johnson back, but at least justice has been served,” he told reporters after the court session.
Background of the Case
The tragic death of Eric Johnson, a prominent businessman and hotel owner, shocked residents of Jirapa and the entire Upper West Region.
He was found dead in his private residence on February 11, 2024, lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds, according to a police situational report.
Police investigations led to the arrest of several hotel staff members, including Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Belinda Miller, and Michael Klugey on February 11, 2024.
Two others, Favour Nuobe and Kweku Kombata, were apprehended the following day.
Although the motive for the murder remains unclear, investigators established that Elisha Mahama played a central role in the brutal killing, leading to his conviction.
Community Reaction
The sentencing brings closure to one of the most high-profile murder cases in the Upper West Region in recent memory. Residents and family members of the late entrepreneur have welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a step toward justice and accountability.
Eric Johnson was widely admired for his contributions to local tourism through the establishment of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel (Jirapa Dubai), a major hospitality landmark in northern Ghana.
