Food vender jailed for causing harm to colleague

A food vender, Maame Afua Nekyiwaa, who pushed a colleague into a gutter during a scuffle, was on Thursday sentenced to 36 months imprisonment by a circuit court in Accra.

The court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava, ordered Nekyiwaa to pay GH¢2,400 as compensation to Lydia Animwaa, the complainant, who sustained injuries on her left leg.

In default, the convict would serve additional 12 months jail term.

Police Chief Inspector Adamu Awal told the court that both the complainant and accused sold food at CMB in Accra.

The prosecution said on the evening of November 18, 2009, the food vendors brought their food for sale at CMB, but the accused on seeing the complainant, became angry and insulted the complainant.

Chief Inspector Awal said the accused said she did not understand why the complainant should sell food opposite her (accused) spot.

The prosecution said this resulted in a scuffle and the accused pushed the complainant and her left leg stucked between metal straps covering a gutter.

Chief Insp. Awal said some onlookers assisted the complainant to remove her leg from the metal straps, and she reported the case to the Police station where she was issued with a medical form.

The prosecution said the complainant, who sustained injuries, was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where she was admitted at the Reproductive Plastic Surgery and Burn’s Unit for two weeks.**