Woman Appeals Against Husband's Conviction

A 27-year-old housewife who collapsed soon after a Circuit Court in Accra had jailed her husband for pressing a heated iron on her chest has filed an appeal against the sentence at an Accra High Court.

Madam Akosua Sarfoah contended that the sentence of her husband, Hanson Adu was "harsh and was extremely excessive with regard to the circumstances of the case". Mr J.K Yeboah, counsel for Madam Sarfoah filed the appeal a day after the conviction adding that, "the High Court was yet to fix a date for hearing.

Adu, a 30-year-old businessman was sentenced last Monday to five years' imprisonment with hard labour by the circuit court after pleading guilty to intentionally causing harm to Madam Sarfoah. Madam Sarfoah collapsed soon after her busband's conviction.

She followed her husband to the cells, could not withstand the scene and collapsed in front of the cells but regained consciousness after onlookers had poured water on her. While Adu was yelling out "Oh Akosua, Oh Akosua", Sarfoah also was calling out" Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."

Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel T. Boison had earlier told the court that Sarfoah and Adu were married with two children. Prosecution said for some time now, Adu had been suspecting Sarfoah of flirting but she denied.

On June 14, this year, Prosecution said Adu found out that Safoah was keeping three million cedis at home. Adu became suspicious and at about 1130 hours, the same day, he asked Sarfoah to give him a loan of 500,000. Sarfoah told Adu that she did not have any money on her and that the money he saw was for a customer who supplied her with handkerchiefs. Prosecution said Adu was not satisfied with the answer and threatened to kill her.

Sarfoah, the prosecution said, pleaded with Adu to spare her life. Chief Inspector Boison said Adu entered his bedroom and return only to press the heated iron on Sarfoah's chest. Sarfoah, who sustained severe wounds, reported the matter to the police. Adu later surrendered himself to the Police at Odorkor and admitted the offence.