Court orders suspect to undergo psychiatric examination

Offinso (Ash), July 28, GNA - A 39-year-old drinking bar operator, who allegedly inflicted deep cutlass wounds on a regular customer has been ordered to undergo a one-month psychiatric examination by the Offinso circuit court.

Drama unfolded at the court on Wednesday, when the accused Stephen Nana Osei-Bonsu, who had earlier been remanded by the court for harming one Kwabena Mensah, 33 during a controversy over a 1,000-cedi worth of 'akpeteshie" at Buoho, suddenly went into spasms after entering his plea of not guilty.

The decision by the court is to ascertain whether the suspect is an epilepsy patient or he feigned it.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Seth Nana Amofa, told the court, presided over by Mr J.B. Tandoh that on July 6, this year at about 1545 hours, the victim bought 1,000-cedi worth of 'akpeteshie', a locally distilled gin at suspect's bar and paid for it with a 2,000-cedi note. He said Osei-Bonsu, asked Mensah to come back later for the 1,000-cedi change, which he (Mensah) obliged.

Mensah came back later and bought another 1,000-cedi worth of the drink to make up for the change.

Prosecution said the accused; apparently forgotten that Mensah has a change of 1,000 cedis with him demanded money for the drink. Inspector Amofa said Mensah tried in vain to remind Osei-Bonsu of the 1,000-cedi change he had with him. A hot argument ensued between the two and in the melee Osei-Bonsu pulled a sharp cutlass from behind the bar counter and slashed Mensah on the forehead, ankle and right arm.

Prosecution said Mensah who bled profusely fainted as a result and was quickly rushed to the Saint Patrick's Hospital at Offinso where he was admitted.

Inspector Amofa said accused thereafter became wild brandishing the sharp cutlass and daring everyone around. The matter was reported to the Offinso police and with reinforcement from the Buffalo Unit and the military in Kumasi, Osei-Bonsu was arrested.