In a high-profile case that has gripped Ghana’s Upper West Region for nearly a year, a High Court in Wa on Wednesday handed a life sentence to Elisha Mahama, the former Human Resources Manager of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, for the 2024 murder of the hotel’s owner, Eric Johnson.
Johnson, a prominent entrepreneur and founder of the luxury hotel complex known locally as "Jirapa Dubai," was found stabbed to death in his private residence on February 11, 2024. The killing shocked the region and drew national attention to what had previously been seen as a thriving local tourism hub.
A seven-member jury delivered a unanimous 7–0 verdict, convicting Mahama of murder. Two other defendants, Belinda Miller and Kweku Kombata—both employees of the hotel—were acquitted and discharged.
Following the verdict, Principal State Attorney Saeed Abdul Shakur, who represented the Johnson family, said the ruling marked a significant, if bittersweet, milestone in the pursuit of justice.
“The wheels of justice, they say, grind slowly,” Shakur told reporters outside the courthouse. “We may never get Eric Johnson back, but at least justice has been served.”
A Year-Long Legal Saga
The case drew significant media and public attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the involvement of several hotel staff. Initially, police arrested a number of employees in the days following Johnson’s death, including Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Belinda Miller, Michael Klugey, Favour Nuobe, and Kweku Kombata.
While early investigations pointed to internal disputes at the hotel, the exact motive behind the murder remains unclear. Prosecutors focused their case on Mahama, who was believed to have had access to Johnson’s residence and was allegedly linked to the scene through forensic evidence.
The trial officially commenced in late 2024 and saw months of witness testimony and cross-examinations. On Wednesday, the court concluded its proceedings with the sentencing, bringing a close to a chapter that has left a lasting impact on the local community.
Eric Johnson, remembered as a visionary businessman, invested heavily in transforming Jirapa into a tourist destination through his Royal Cosy Hills Hotel project. His death marked a major setback for the region’s tourism ambitions.
The life sentence handed down to Mahama is one of the harshest penalties available under Ghanaian law, reflecting the severity of the crime. Authorities have not ruled out further investigations into possible motives or additional accomplices.
