Accra, April 2, GNA - A 48 year-old mason on Thursday appeared before an Accra circuit court for chopping off the right ear of his uncle. Samuel Adjei Klu pleaded not guilty to the offence, but the court, presided over by Justice D.E.K. Darkeste remanded him into police custody to reappear on April 9.

The victim, Mr Okang Boye, who could not stand the pain from the wound in the heat at the court's sitting, was dressed only in a singlet and had a wet towel around his neck to cool down and cover his chopped ear.

Chief Inspector John K. Anim prayed the court to remand the accused in custody while investigations continued. The facts of the case are that Mr Boye, a shepherd, lived in the same area with his nephew at Teshie Numai Gonno. He said Klu had 18 year-old son called Kanto who had been sleeping in a room in Mr Boye's house belonging to a late sister of Boye. However, because of Kanton's disrespect for Mr Boye, he was ejected from the room on March 28.

Klu on hearing that Kanton had been ejected from his late mother's room by Boye did not take kindly to the action and had a confrontation with Boye which resulted in a fight. He said Kanton and two others now at large were also involved in the fight during which Klu chopped off the right ear of Boye.