Akim Ofoase District Court, presided over by His Worship Benjamin Bennet-Attabrah Esq, has convicted a timber merchant, Samuel Agyei Donkor, alias Rabbi for assaulting a farmer, Kofi Boakye, with a chainsaw machine at Akyem Bontodiase in Eastern Region.
The Presiding Judge, His Worship Benjamin Bennet-Attabrah Esq on Thursday, July 17, sentenced the accused to a total fine of Ghc3,400, in default serves six months in prison.
The fine include Ghc1, 800 (150 penalty units) as punishment for the assault and an additional Ghc1,600 compensation to be paid to the victim, Kofi Boakye, for his medical bills.
The court also ordered the confiscated logs to be auctioned, with proceeds paid into government coffers.
The convict, Samuel Agyei Donkor, who is also the constituency Organizer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) in Ofoase Ayirebi Constituency, was arrested after he attacked the farmer with chainsaw machine during a confrontation over unauthorized tree felling near the public cemetery in Akyem Bontodiase.
The victim challenged the convict over his activities, questioning the source of his authorization to harvest timber in the area.
The situation escalated, leading Samuel Agyei Donkor to grab a chainsaw machine in an attempt to harm the farmer.
Although the farmer managed to escape, he sustained injuries on his upper back.
The incident was swiftly reported to the police, resulting in the arrest and subsequent prosecution of Samuel Donkor,alias Rabbi who pleaded guilty to the charge of assault.
The case has generated deep public interest in the community due to the personality of the convict hence several residents trooped to the court Thursday to witness the proceedings.
Source starr FM online
