Abusuapanyin Kweku Tainyin, a 70-year old farmer at Treboam in the Mpohor Wassa East district of the Western Region had his manhood and testicles nearly damaged when he was allegedly attacked by an illegal chainsaw operator. The alleged assailant, Kojo Enock, according to police source, had been granted bail while investigations continued.
Narrating what warranted the alleged attack, Abusuapanyin Tainyin said Kojo Enock, a native of Treboam had for sometime been felling timber from a forest in the area without the consent of the chief and elders. He however called and advised him but he would not listen. He explained that some foreign settlers inhabited the said forest in Treboam in the 17th century and when they left the land came under the chief’s supervision.
He stressed, for this reason, anyone who wanted to work on the land or fell timber had to inform the chief. He continued that a few days after he had advised Kojo Enock to stop the illegal felling, the Safohene of the area, Nana Kyenkyehene came to report to the chief and elders that a nephew of the accused, one Emmanuel, was felling trees in the forest.
He said by the time the chief, Nana Nyarko III and his elders, including himself had reached the forest to ascertain the fact, Emmanuel had bolted with the lumber to an unknown destination. The chief then informed officers of the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission (FC) about Kojo Enock and his nephew, Emmanuel’s illegal acts.
Abusuapanyin Tainyin indicated that officers from the Forest Services Division intercepted the vehicle carrying the lumber which was heading towards Takoradi, on the Ayiem-Daboase road. The Abusuapanyin said barely a week after that Kojo Enock came to the chief’s palace and insulted him and the elders for reporting him to the Forest Services Division. He said as if that was not enough, the following day which was Tuesday January 24, 2007, at about 1am while he was asleep, Kojo Enock forced his door open, entered and started beating him with a stick.
The Abusuapanyin who was almost in tears, mentioned that his assailant removed his underwear and hit his manhood and testicles with the stick until blood started oozing out.
“My brother, he nearly killed me but thank God I’m still alive.” According to him, he could not shout for help because his assailant removed his shirt and gagged him with it. He added that it was by divine intervention that a neighbour came around and took him to the Kwesimintsim Hospital and was later referred to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, where he was admitted for two weeks.
The case, according to the chief, was reported to the Nsuaem police and then to the Western Regional Police Command at Sekondi. When contacted, the Regional Commander, DCOP Kofi Duku Arthur confirmed the story and said the case was before the Regional Crime Officer, pending investigations.
