Security man convicted for causing harm

William Bakuli, aka Ojuku, a security man, has been sentenced to a fine of GH?2,400.00 by an Accra Circuit Court for causing harm to Francis Klu, a junior high school graduate.

Bakuli, 66, in default, will go to jail for 24 months for slashing the hands of Francis Klu several times for attempting to open a gate.

He is also to pay the medical bills totalling GHC?1,493.00 to the victim.

The court further ordered him to pay GH?1,000.00 compensation to the victim’s mother.

This was after Bakuli was found guilty on the charge of intentionally causing harm to Klu.

The facts presented by Detective Inspector Judith B. Asante are that the complainant, Mercy Senanu, is a trader who lives with his children at Madina.

According to the prosecutor the complainant’s home is situated on the compound of Madina SDA Church which is fenced with two gated entrances.

Prosecution said the complainant sells kenkey and fish in the neighbourhood and the accused is the security man in charge of the SDA compound.

In the past there had been a misunderstanding between the complainant, accused and church as to when the gates to the compound should be locked.

However, prosecution said the church resolved that the small gate to the compound should be left until the complainant returned from her sales in the night.

On January 7, last year, the complainant was indisposed so she asked her 20 year old son and other siblings to go and sell the kenkey.

Prosecution said they closed at 1030 pm and got to the gate but Bakuli refused to open it after the victim had knocked several times. The victim jumped over the wall and pleaded with Bakuli to open the gate for him and his siblings to bring in their wares but he declined.

Victim, therefore, informed the complainant on phone and she advised that they broke the lock. While the victim was at it, Bakuli charged on him and threatened to chop off his hands with a cutlass.

Not quite long, Bakuli pulled a cutlass and cut the victim severally on his two hands. The victim began to bleed.

The victim shouted for help and the complainant came to his son’s aid and pleaded with Bakuli to open the gate but he declined.

Realising that the victim was losing blood, he opened the gate and the victim was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where he was sent to the theatre for surgery.

A report was made to the police and Bakuli was arrested.