High court sentences teacher to death

Sekondi, June 4, GNA - A seven-member jury has unanimously passed the death sentence on Clement Kwofie Andwi Aka, a trained teacher for killing Innocent Kobiri, a National Service Personnel and maiming his (Clement) fianc=E9e in 2005.

The jury, sitting at a Sekondi High Court, said the accused was guilty of murder, use of offensive weapon and attempted suicide. Prosecuting, Madam Patience Klinogo, a Principal State Attorney told the Court presided over by Justice Kwaku Saeed-Gyan that the incident occurred in June 2005 at Tikobo Number One in the Western Region, where Innocent was doing his national at Tikobo Number One Junior Secondary School.

She said Clement and his fianc=E9 Amina Abdulai both were teachers at the DC Primary School.

The Principal Attorney said on June 21 2005, the accused visited Amina at home but did not meet her and later found her at Innocent's room where he alleged he saw them kissing. Madam Klinogo said Clement left and went home but came back later to find Innocent, Amina and one Edmond Ocloo, also a teacher playing video game on a computer.

She said Clement, therefore, hid himself around Amina's house and at about 0115 hours, when Innocent brought Amina home, Clement emerged from his hideout, enters Amina's room and inflicted several cut wounds on both hands.

Madam Klinogo said the accused soon after chased Innocent and slashed him several times on the head and neck. She said both Amina and Innocent were rushed to the Half Assini but Innocent died on arrival, whilst Amina was later referred to the Effia Nkwanta Hospital where both hands were amputated. Madam Klinogo said soon after the act, Clement escaped into a nearby bush, threw the cutlass away, left a note at the Catholic Church at Tikobo number one and drank a poisonous substance. Prior to his sentence, Clement pleaded with the court to give him a second chance and that he was ready to cater for Amina. "I am young man and have just begun my profession as a teacher" he said but added that he had no intention of harming both Amina and Innocent except that he had some problems. Passing the verdict of the jury, Justice Saeed-Gyan said the act of Clement was barbaric, incomprehensible and beyond comprehension. He asked Clement whether Amina could trust him and be willing to live with him again.

Justice Saeed-Gyan said the act of Clement had prevented the nation and school pupils of the Tikobo Number One Junior Secondary School from benefiting from the talents of Innocent whilst the career of Amina has also been ruined making her almost dependent on others. 5 May 08