5 years jail for possessing Indian hemp, 0 years for assaulting wife

Bibiani (W/R), Feb. 6, GNA - A 35 year-old farmer, Muntali Keyebu, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Bibiani Circuit Court for possessing some dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Asamoah told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ankomah that on August 2008, the police in Bibiani had a tip-off that, some people were selling and smoking Indian hemp at Agyina, a suburb of the town. He said armed policemen rushed to the scene, where the accused was found and arrested.

When his room was searched they found four wrappers of dry leaves concealed in his pair of shoes.

The Prosecutor said the accused in his defence admitted that he often smoked the substance for energy.

He added that the accused after further interrogations was charged with the offence by the court.

Husband fined GH¢200 for assaulting wife

Nyinahin (Ash), Feb. 5, GNA - The Nyinahin Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr Augustine Essah, has imposed GH¢200 fine on Paul Ayabigya a 27 year-old farmer for assaulting his wife Abena Lucy, 20. In default, he will serve another six months imprisonment. The accused who pleaded guilty was also asked to sign a bond of good behaviour for 12 months and in default serve another 24 months imprisonment.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Francis Kpoafah told the court that the complainant Lucy is the wife of the accused and they have two children.

He said the accused was in the habit of beating the wife without any provocation and that on December 18, 2008, the complainant sought permission from the husband to visit the accused senior brother, Kwame Kusaase to collect some foodstuffs.

Chief Inspector Kpoafah said when the complainant returned three days later, the accused confronted her that for having stayed that long with his brother, she had sex with him. He said, the complainant denied the allegation but the accused did not accept the explanation and beat her mercilessly which resulted in her eyes getting swollen. The Prosecutor said a report was made to the police and the accused was then arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.