Mother-in-law who left the boy's hand to rot after having cut it condemned

General News of Friday, February 15, 2019

Source: 3news.com

2019-02-15

Efua Baduwa, 22, who cut the hand of her 5-year-old son-in-law, was sentenced to a fine of 1,020 GHc (85 penalty units) or, failing that, to 18 months' imprisonment. 39; imprisonment.

She pleaded guilty to the charge of having harmed her stepson when the charge was read to her.

The district court of Abura Dunkwa, chaired by Judge Anthony Abebrese, on Thursday pleaded guilty to Efua Baduwa, who is also pregnant.

David Mensah, the boy's biological father and the second defendant, pleaded not guilty to the crime of complicity and was remanded in custody to reappear on February 28, 2019 so that the case could be heard .

A third accused, Isaac Eduful, who had treated the boy in his home when the victim's member was rotting, was arrested and sent to court, forcing prosecutors to change their previous charge to include him in the court. the role he had played in the case.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy but with an explanation.

He told the court that he only intervened to save the boy's rotten hand by watching how far he was.

He told the court that the boy had been brought to him on January 21, 2019. Even though he had no license, he felt compbadion for the boy and decided to treat him.

Magistrate Anthony Abebrese did not accept Isaac Eduful's explanation. "You are not a professional doctor, why did you do that?"

But the third accused pointed out, "My Lord, looking at the situation the boy was in, I'm only sorting to help the child."

When asked if he had a license to operate, Eduful presented a certificate proving his membership in the Ghana Medical Association of Homeopathy.

"I do not think that will convince me," said the magistrate. He ordered that the certificate be destroyed.

He also asked why Eduful had failed to send the boy back to a larger facility.

After a careful study of his documents, it turned out that they were not valid.

Isaac Eduful was later fined 50 penalty units, equivalent to 600 GHc. Otherwise, he will serve a 12-month prison sentence.

Meanwhile, the crowd in the courtyard was disappointed by the punishment inflicted on Efua Baduwa, claiming that it was not enough of a deterrent.

The victim has since been amputated from the hand.