Benjamin Kwabena Fiagbodze, a 24-year-old labourer, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for inflicting cutlass wounds on the head of a businessman at Tse Addo, Accra.
Fiagbodze pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing harm.
However, after a full trial, the court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, found him guilty and handed down the sentence.
During proceedings, Fiagbodze admitted that his intent was to kill the complainant, not merely injure him.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, stated that the complainant, Laryea Larkwei, is a businessman residing at Teshie Camp 2, while Fiagbodze lived at Tse Addo, La.
Chief Inspector Lawer explained that in 2020, Larkwei hired one Osei Yaw to oversee his five- bedroom uncompleted building located at Tse Addo.
The caretaker subsequently brought Fiagbodze to live with him at the site.
The caretaker subsequently brought Fiagbodze to live with him at the site.
On September 4, 2024, at about 1300 hours, Larkwei visited the site and asked Fiagbodze to grind pepper for him which he obliged.
The court heard that while taking his meal and without provocation, Fiagbodze, armed with a cutlass, pounced on him and inflicted wounds on his scalp.
According to the prosecution, Larkwei reported the incident to the police, who issued him a medical form to seek treatment.
After receiving medical attention, Larkwei
submitted a medical report, which was endorsed by a medical officer at LEKMA Hospital.
Fiagbodze was apprehended, and in his caution statement to the police, admitted to the offense.
The police also recovered the cutlass used in the attack from the crime scene.
