Two fined five million cedis for assault

Bawku, July 26, GNA- Two sisters who allegedly assaulted a housewife and stripped her naked at a public place, were on Friday fined a total of five million cedis by a circuit court at Bawku. Mariama Awudu, 24, and her younger sister, Katumi Awudu, 22, pleaded not guilty but the court, presided over by Mr Jacob Boon, found them guilty on four counts of assault, unlawful damage, offensive conduct and stealing. In default, they would each serve 12 months in prison with hard labour.

The court ordered that one million cedis of the fine if paid should be give to the complainant to defray her medical expenses. It further ordered that the accused persons be placed under a two-year bond to be of good behaviour. Prosecuting, Detective Sergeant Augustus Yirenkyi, told the court that on May 25, this year, the complainant, Madam Sophia Allennga and her 12-year-old daughter, were at a public borehole fetching water at Sabongeri, a suburb of Bawku, when the two accused persons also went there for water. He said the accused persons on seeing the complainant retorted, "Now, we have got you, we have been looking for you ever since you caused the arrest of our brother, as for this time, we will deal with you properly."

Sgt. Yirenkyi said Mariama ordered Madam Allennga to remove her basin, which was not full so that they could put their basins under the tap because they needed water to drink and not for brewing pito. They then hurled insults on her and her children, referring to them as 'bastards".

He said this did not go down well with Madam Allennga, and this resulted in exchange of words between her and the two accused persons. Madam Allennga then decided to leave the scene, the prosecution said. Sgt. Yirenkyi said just as Madam Allennga was on her way home her the two accused, held her basin, poured the water out of it and pounced on her.

The prosecution said in the process, they tore her dress and panties, leaving her stark naked and took her basin and bucket away. The prosecutor said it was the complainant's daughter who ran home for another cloth to cover her mother's nudity and the matter was later reported to the police.