The Embassy of Liberia in Ghana has confirmed that the case involving the lynching of 26-year-old Liberian national Austin Tengbeh will be transferred to the High Court of Ghana, which has jurisdiction to try serious criminal offences such as murder.
The matter was initially heard at the Baatsona District Court, where four suspects, Francis Amuzu, William Adison, Vincent Adzikah and Enoch Mensah, appeared before the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Mabel Ahele. During the hearing, the court disclosed that the case is awaiting legal advice from the Office of the Attorney-General of Ghana, after which it will be formally transferred to the High Court for trial.
Under Ghanaian law, district courts have limited criminal jurisdiction. According to the section 48 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), a district court may only try offences punishable by a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. The law further states that district courts do not have jurisdiction over offences punishable by death, life imprisonment, or offences classified as first-degree felonies.
Because murder is classified as a capital offence under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), such cases must be tried before the High Court, which has the authority to conduct the full trial and determine criminal responsibility.
“The court further explained that, due to the nature of the offence, the case will ultimately be tried at the High Court, which has the jurisdiction to hear such matters,” the Liberian embassy said in a statement.
The counsel for the suspects told the press that the fourth accused, Enoch Mensah, previously reported as at large, was still officially listed as such hence drawing the court’s attention to that discrepancy and subsequently called his case separately to ensure proper procedure.
The District Court has adjourned the case to 30 March 2026 at 10:00 a.m., pending legal advice from the Attorney-General. The District Court only has jurisdiction for committal proceedings in such cases, meaning the trial itself will be transferred to the High Court, which holds the original jurisdiction for cases of this nature.
The incident that led to Tengbeh’s death occurred on Friday, February 27, 2026, at an apartment complex in Lashibi, near Sakumono, where he was allegedly accused by some residents of involvement in a suspected theft. Tensions reportedly escalated when a group of individuals confronted him, leading to what authorities believe turned into a mob assault.
Witnesses say the situation quickly became violent as the crowd allegedly subjected the young Liberian to a severe beating before security authorities were alerted. He was later pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The incident has since sparked outrage among sections of the Liberian community in Ghana, prompting renewed calls for a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased.
The Embassy of Liberia in Ghana has assured that it will continue to closely monitor the proceedings surrounding the death of a Liberian national, while engaging the relevant Ghanaian authorities to ensure that justice is served in accordance with Ghana’s laws. The embassy also confirmed that it is providing support to the family of the deceased.
The mission appealed to members of the Liberian community, both in Ghana and Liberia, to remain calm and allow the legal process to run its course as investigations and prosecutions continue.
On 6 March 2026, a Liberian pastor, Rev. Philip Blamo, called on his compatriots to protest at the Ghanaian Embassy in Monrovia, pressing for justice and expressing concerns over what he described as recurring incidents involving Liberians abroad.
The embassy, however, clarified that it had not received any official notice of a protest from the alleged organiser or security authorities. It subsequently informed the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national security agencies, which prompted heightened security at the embassy to ensure the safety of personnel and visitors.
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