Sekina Bukari, a trader, who allegedly whipped her five-year-old niece with electrical wire, causing injuries all over her body was on Thursday fined GH¢600 by a Circuit Court in Accra.
The convict, who would go to jail for six months in default, was ordered by the court to pay the victim’s medical bills of GH¢45.
Bukari, who was charged for causing unlawful harm, pleaded guilty and told the court that she used a cane in whipping the victim and not electrical wire as alleged.
However, the five-year-old niece told the police that she was flogged with an electrical wire.
The court after watching photographs of the victim, who was absent in court, said the injuries were not caused by cane.
The court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava ordered the Department of Social Welfare to take custody of the victim, and investigate the background of Salamatu Salim, a relative, who claimed she could take care of the victim.
The Department is expected to present a report on its investigations to court on June 14.
Police Chief Inspector I.A.A Ahor told the court that the complainant, Mr. Joseph Ankrah, an electrician, and Bukari reside at Korle Gonno, in Accra.
The prosecution said Bukari’s sister the late Hawa, left behind a daughter (the victim), who was staying with her grandmother (Bukari’s mother) at Bawku, but the grandmother also died, and Bukari brought the victim to Accra about two-and-a-half years ago.
Chief Insp. Ahor said on May 19, this year, at about 0830 hours, the complainant saw a large crowd in Bukari’s compound.
Prosecution said that when the complainant enquired what had happened, he was told that Bukari had beaten the victim, and she sustained injuries all over the body.
Chief Insp. Ahor said the complainant reported the incident to the police at Mamprobi, in Accra.
The police issued a medical form to the complainant to sent the victim to the hospital.**
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