A 60-year-old man in Ghana, identified as Doe Fianu, has been sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment with hard labour for fatally attacking his wife during a domestic dispute. The court’s decision followed his admission to manslaughter and illegal possession of firearms.
The incident occurred in 2023, when Fianu turned a marital argument into a deadly encounter after his wife received a phone call from a male contact. Enraged, he used a firearm to shoot her in the head and genital area, resulting in her immediate death.
Fianu avoided a life sentence by pleading guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter under provisions of Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), which allows for reduced sentencing under certain conditions. He also admitted to possessing a firearm without authorization, further compounding the case against him.
Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie of the High Court in Accra handed down the verdict after weighing both the severity of the crime and arguments for leniency. Prosecutors, led by Principal State Attorney Winifred Sarpong, emphasized the disturbing nature of the crime, particularly because the couple’s four-year-old child was present when the shooting occurred. The psychological toll on the young child was highlighted as a major aggravating factor.
Despite the gravity of the offense, the court acknowledged Fianu’s lack of prior convictions, his apparent remorse, and the fact that he pleaded guilty early in the proceedings, which saved the court’s time. These considerations ultimately influenced the 20-year sentence, which was lower than the 30 years recommended by the prosecution.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
