A 60-year-old man, Doe Fianu, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in hard labour after he pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Grace Yorker Torku, following a confrontation over a phone call she received from a man.
The tragic incident occurred in 2023 when Fianu fatally shot his wife in the head and genital area during a heated argument. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a call Grace received from an unidentified male, which triggered suspicions and rage in her husband.
Fianu was initially charged with murder, but under provisions of Act 30, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a reduced sentence compared to a potential life term.
He also admitted to a second charge of unlawful possession of firearms.
Presiding over the case at the High Court in Accra, Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie convicted Fianu on both counts.
Before passing sentence, the judge stated that the court had carefully considered a range of factors, including the accused’s guilty plea, his remorse, and the fact that he was a first-time offender.
The prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Winifred Sarpong, stressed the seriousness of the crime, particularly its psychological toll on the couple’s 4-year-old son, who witnessed the killing.
The prosecution pushed for a minimum sentence of 30 years, highlighting the long-term trauma the child is likely to endure.
Defence counsel Bernard Obiri Koranteng made a plea for leniency, citing Fianu’s cooperation with investigators and the fact that he did not waste the court’s time.
In delivering the sentence, Justice Quarshie acknowledged both the mitigating and aggravating circumstances. While the court took into account Fianu’s remorse and lack of prior criminal history, it also noted the severity of the crime and the devastating effect on the couple’s children.
Fianu was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter and 10 years for possession of firearms without lawful authority, with both sentences to run concurrently.
Background of case
According to the prosecution, the case began when Gordon Tsimese, Assembly Member for the Okomante Electoral Area, placed a distress call to the police, reporting that a man, Doe Fianu, had shot his wife, Grace Yorke Torku, during a domestic dispute.
He further informed the police that Fianu was wielding a weapon and was using it to prevent anyone from approaching the scene.
A police team was immediately dispatched to the couple’s residence at Taboo Line. Upon arrival, they found Grace Yorke Torku lying motionless in a pool of blood in the living room.
The body was discovered in a supine position, and preliminary examination revealed two gunshot wounds—one to the head and another to the vagina.
Investigations established that the fatal shooting occurred on May 26, 2023, during an argument between the couple.
The dispute reportedly started after Grace received a phone call from a male caller, which provoked Fianu. In the heat of the confrontation, he retrieved a pistol from their bedroom and shot his wife at close range.
Following the incident, Grace’s body was transported to the Tema General Hospital for preservation and autopsy. In the meantime, police intelligence led to the arrest of Fianu at Ni Amui Park in Ashaiman, where he had been apprehended by eyewitnesses.
The firearm used in the shooting was recovered by police at the time of his arrest. A follow-up visit to the crime scene on May 29, 2023, resulted in the recovery of the pistol’s empty magazine.
On June 6, 2023, an autopsy was performed at the Tema General Hospital in the presence of police officers and family members. The pathologist confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the head, ruling the death as unnatural.
These facts formed the basis of the charges of manslaughter and unlawful possession of firearms that Fianu eventually pleaded guilty to before the High Court in Accra.
