The Salaga Magistrate Court in the Savannah region presided over by His Worship Edward Essel has convicted all three accused persons to a non-custodial sentence of 100 penalty units each, which is equivalent to GH¢1,200 or, in default, serve a 6-month imprisonment.
A non-custodial sentence is a punishment other than jail time, such as a fine or community order. Non-custodial sentences are used to reduce prison overcrowding and provide rehabilitation opportunities.
The convicts were also asked to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months. Failure to do this will attract a prison term of one year.
The convicts are Nuru Ibrahim, also known as Ibi, Hardi Hamza, also known as Mad Lion, and Abubakari Zaidu, also known as Macharjia.
One of the convicts, Hardi Hamza, alias madLion was charged to pay GH₵500 as compensation to a student who sustained an injury.
His worship Edward Essel called on the management of Salaga SHS, who was not in court, to liaise with the traditional authorities in the area to disband all students’ groupings in the school.
He said the non-custodial sentences handed to the accused serve as a lesson to others and to help them reform.
The court, which was parked to capacity, included the parents of all the accused persons.
One of the parents, who pleaded anonymity, said,” I’m fine with the sentence, but it’s now left for the parents to discipline him at home so that he will grow to fit into society well,” he indicated.
The court has confiscated the gun, ammunition, and scissors to be given to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, for safekeeping.
The 19-year-olds faced three charges: possession of a firearm and ammunition without authority, threat of death, and causing harm. All three pleaded guilty to the charges, and their pleas were formally recorded.
Background
The incident in question occurred during a routine school entertainment event on February 8 when two groups of day students from Kpembe and Salaga towns became involved in a confrontation.
One of the students initially retreated, only to return later with a group of individuals, resulting in a shooting and injuries. The accused were arrested and brought before the Salaga Magistrate Court.
His Lordship Edward Essel granted bail to the accused, along with the headmaster of the school, and adjourned the case to February 21 for sentencing.
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