Bekwai Court jails houseboy for student acid attack

A 27-year-old houseboy, Ernest Agyei, has been sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for pouring acid on a senior high school leaver, Benjamin Asante.

The court also ordered Agyei to pay 500 penalty units, equivalent to GH6,000, as compensation to the victim, a former student of Yamfo Anglican Secondary School in the Bono Region.

Agyei denied the offence but was found guilty after trial. The presiding judge, Mr Isaac Apeatu, rejected the claim that the incident was accidental, citing evidence of an earlier confrontation between the convict and the victim.

According to Chief Inspector Christian Amartey, the incident occurred on December 22, 2024, at Pakyi No. 2, where Agyei worked as a house help. Tensions arose during a tile-cleaning exercise involving acid, following disagreements among those present, including an argument between Agyei and Kwadwo Tawiah.

The court heard that when Agyei reported the matter to Asante, the latter told Agyei he did not want to interfere, leading to Agyei becoming offended and insulting Asante. This exchange of words culminated in Agyei pouring acid from a container on Asante, who was then rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for three months of treatment.

Prosecution noted that Agyei showed no remorse and urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, while Agyei pleaded for leniency. Police investigations led to Agyei’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

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