The man who fatally stabbed a musician from Cape Coast in February 2021 has been given the death penalty by hanging. Bright Ellis, also known in Cape Coast as Shadow, was found guilty and given a death sentence on Wednesday (Jan. 18, 2023) by the Cape Coast High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Lodoh.
Bright Ellis stabbed the dancehall performer “Unruly Grank,” real name Emmanuel Aikins, to death during a fight at the Orange Beach Resort in Cape Coast on February 7, 2021. The 24-year-old musician, also known as “Soft Metal” in Cape Coast’s music scene, was stabbed during an argument with Bright Ellis. Ellis is a craftsman who is 27 years old. Following the event, Aikins was declared dead when he arrived at the Cape Coast Hospital.
According to police prosecutors testifying in court, a fight broke out between Unruly Grank and another dancehall artist’s fans in the Cape Coast about who was more well-liked. The two were rumored to have met at Cape Coast Castle for a “rap war,” but things became violent, and Grank was stabbed during a fight between their fans. Ellis received a cut on his left hand, reported the deceased to the police, and was given medical forms. However, the police later arrested Ellis to help with their inquiries.
According to testimony given in court, Grank frequently declared on social media that he was the king of dancehall in Cape Coast, and the majority of his followers agreed. Face of Cape Coast dancehall, according to a fan named Sadick Highest in response to the news of the release of the “Frass pon frass” album. Keep on, ma Gee!
In one of his posts on Facebook, Unruly Grank said: “If you believe yourself, show your face lemme murder you Kahpun”. Another Unruly Grank post read: “Plenty talking no dey full basket. I said any challenger?” An observer with the name Renownmuziks Dotnet also queried, “Will there be a clash for Kahpun and Unruly Grank in Cape Coast? #Higherhieght #Softmetal #reggaedancehall.
The mother of the late artist Kate Swanzy expressed gratitude that justice had been done in response to the verdict. She expressed her excitement about the decision, which she thought was just. She advised Ghanaians to occasionally practice patience in cases involving court hearings so that thorough investigations could be conducted.
