Richmond Jaba, an unemployed man, has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Circuit Court in Accra, for inflicting serious harm on Akwesi Kusi.
The court delivered its decision on April 23, 2025 after a full trial, during which Jaba pleaded for mercy, citing his circumstances as an unemployed individual.
The court also considered the time he had already spent in custody, prior to sentencing.
The incident that led to Jaba’s conviction occurred on September 25, 2022 when he stabbed Kusi with a pair of scissors, during a confrontation at a local drinking bar.
The complainant, Yaw Bonsu, a trader residing at Kwabenya, a suburb of Accra and a relative of the victim, received a distressing phone call informing him of the attack.
Upon learning of the incident, Bonsu advised that Kusi be taken to the hospital, and he promptly followed up to ensure he received medical attention.
Kusi was admitted to the accident ward of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.
On September 27, 2022 Bonsu filed an official complaint with the police, who subsequently visited the hospital to gather information from the victim.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Jaba and Kusi had a prior misunderstanding at the bar, which escalated into violence. Witnesses at the scene had intervened, separating the two men and advising them to go home.
However, Jaba returned to his residence, retrieved a pair of scissors and confronted Kusi again, stabbing him beneath the shoulder on the left upper rib.
Following his arrest, Jaba admitted to the offense in his caution statement. The court found him guilty of the charges brought against him and was sentenced to four years in prison, taking into account both the severity of the crime and the time he had already spent in custody.
Kusi has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries.
The case shows the serious consequences of violence and the importance of conflict resolution without resorting to harm.
