The High Court in Wa has today, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, sentenced Elisha Mahama, the principal suspect in the murder of Eric Johnson, the late owner of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, widely known as Jirapa Dubai in the Upper West Region to life imprisonment.
The jury in a unanimous 7–0 verdict found the then Human Resource Manager guilty of murder.
Two other accused, Belinda Miller, and Kweku Kombata were acquitted and discharged.
The case trial that captivated the Upper West Region, lasting for almost a year has finally been brought to a close after the day’s verdict
Speaking to journalists shortly after the verdict, the Principal State Attorney, representing the Johnson family, Lawyer Saeed Abdul Shakur, expressed relief.
“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 stated.
Brief Background
Eric Johnson, a businessman, was stabbed to death at his private residence on February 11, 2024, and was found in a pool of blood the following morning, according to a police situational report.
The motive behind the heinous act remains unknown, but some suspects who were arrested include Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Belinda Miller, and Michael Klugey, who were all employees at the hotel and were apprehended on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Additionally, Favour Nuobe and Kweku Kombata, also employees of Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, were arrested on Monday, February 12, 2024.
