DEATH VERDICT: Justice Philip Bright Mensah Recalls Sentencing Woman to Death Over Husband’s Contract Killing

A murder case involving a woman, a German boyfriend and an alleged contract killing is among the most serious cases Justice Philip Bright Mensah says he handled during his time on the bench.

Speaking to Kafui Dey, the retired Supreme Court Justice recalled a case from his time at the High Court in Axim in which he imposed a death sentence.

Asked whether he had ever sentenced anyone to death, Justice Mensah answered simply:

“Yes.”

He explained that the death penalty could be imposed in criminal cases involving offences such as murder or high treason under the law applicable at the time.

Justice Mensah then recounted the particular murder case that had stayed with him.

The accused was a woman charged with the murder of her husband.

According to the evidence presented before the court, she had a German boyfriend who had promised to take her abroad.

Justice Mensah said the evidence suggested that the woman schemed to have her husband killed.

“She engaged some people, you know, like a contract killing,” he recalled.

The alleged plan involved other people being brought in to carry out the murder.

Justice Mensah said the evidence before him was compelling.

“The evidence to me was very obvious,” he said.

The case placed an enormous responsibility on the judge, who had to assess the evidence before making a decision with the most serious possible consequence.

Justice Mensah’s recollection provides a rare glimpse into the burden behind a death sentence the courtroom may be silent when a judgment is delivered, but the decision carries consequences that can never be reversed once carried out.

His experience also illustrates the gravity of criminal trials involving murder, where judges must examine the evidence carefully before reaching their conclusions.

The case formed part of a judicial career spanning more than five decades from his early years in the Judicial Service to the High Court, Court of Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court.

For Justice Mensah, some cases become part of a judge’s professional history.

Others remain part of the memory long after the judgment has been delivered.