The Swedru Circuit Court has delivered a stern judicial response to a violent cutlass clash that drew widespread public attention after videos of the incident circulated on social media.
The court sentenced three men — George Okyere, 43, Evans Adayele, 20, and Joseph Nyabaah, 26 — following a violent confrontation at the New Station Area in Akyem Oda. The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared online, sparked concerns over the growing use of weapons in public spaces and residential communities.
The three were charged with fighting with a weapon and causing harm, contrary to Sections 203 and 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). All pleaded guilty to the charges.
Presiding over the case, the court sentenced Evans Adayele and Joseph Nyabaah to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. George Okyere, the oldest of the three, was fined 500 penalty units, equivalent to GH₵6,000. He was also ordered to sign a three-year bond of good behaviour, with the court warning that any breach of the peace could lead to further imprisonment.
In his testimony, Okyere said the incident began during what he described as a routine trip to buy a pair of Wellington boots. He told the court that while at the location, Adayele and Nyabaah arrived in a vehicle and confronted him.
According to him, tensions escalated after he identified himself, although the exact cause of the disagreement was not disclosed. Despite attempting to explain how the confrontation started, Okyere admitted his involvement in the violence.
Court records indicated that he confessed to participating in the fight and using a cutlass in public after the situation spiralled out of control.
Although the court considered the fact that none of the three had prior criminal records, a factor that reportedly influenced the sentencing, the judge stressed the seriousness of the offence.
The court noted that the use of dangerous weapons in public places posed a significant threat to innocent bystanders and public safety, emphasizing the need to discourage such acts.
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