An Ashanti Regional Circuit Court has sentenced a house help, identified as Agyei, to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for an acid attack that left the victim hospitalised for months.
Presenting the facts, Chief Inspector Amartey told the Court that the victim, Asante, is a resident of Trede, while the convict lived and worked as a house help at Pakyi No. 2.
The incident occurred on December 22, 2021, during a cleaning exercise involving acid.
According to the prosecution, Asante was invited by his brother, Francis Agyei, to assist with cleaning floor tiles using acid.
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Agyei joined the exercise alongside one Godfred Kwadwo Tawiah, described as a friend of the accused. During the cleaning, a disagreement arose between Agyei and Tawiah.
The Court heard that following the argument, Agyei approached Asante and attempted to draw him into the dispute by asking him to intervene.
Asante declined, stating that he would not interfere in a matter between Agyei and his friend.
This response reportedly angered Agyei, who then insulted Asante, leading to a heated exchange of words.
Chief Inspector Amartey said that in the heat of the confrontation, Agyei picked up a container holding acid—the same substance being used for the cleaning—and poured it on Asante.
The attack caused severe injuries.
Asante was immediately rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he was admitted and treated for three months due to the extent of his injuries.
The prosecution further told the Court that a formal complaint was lodged with the police on June 20, 2022.
Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of Agyei on October 9, 2022. After the conclusion of investigations, he was charged and arraigned before the Court.
After several years of legal proceedings, the Court found Agyei guilty of the offence.