Video operator jailed for using offensive weapon

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - A 45 year-old video operator, who shot a trader in the thigh with a locally manufactured pistol for confronting him, was on Monday sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour by a High Court in Accra.

The Court, presided over by Mr Justice G.A. Aryeetey, sentenced Kpani Addy to another five years' imprisonment for stealing electric cables and a further seven years' imprisonment for unlawfully possessing fire arms.

The sentences will run concurrently.

A seven-member jury found Addy on all the three charges. When the court asked Addy what he had to say before sentence was passed, he asked for forgiveness and pleaded for leniency. The evidence presented by Mr Johanes Vegba, an Assistant State Attorney, was that Addy and the complainants Abudulai Kwasi Issah and Emmanuel Otoo resided at Bubuashie in Accra.

Mr Vegba said on August 31, 1998 at about 0300 hours, Issah and Otto saw Addy carrying a polythene sack and they confronted him. The two opened the sack and found electric cables and a pair of pliers.

Prosecution said during the confrontation Addy pulled out a pistol and shot Issah in the thigh.

Addy seeing the nature of harm he had caused to Otoo, took to his heels but he was arrested by a mob.

Prosecution said Addy was escorted to the Odorkor Police Station. During investigations Addy could not to produce his licence for the gun. Later a witness also identified the cables as hers.