James Andani Yedi, a 20-year-old welder, faced charges in the Achimota Circuit Court for allegedly inflicting multiple cutlass wounds on a co-tenant. Yedi, accused of causing harm, entered a plea of not guilty during the court proceedings presided over by Mr Isaac Addo.
In response to Yedi's plea, the court ordered the Police to transfer him to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital for examination. Observing Yedi's demeanour in the courtroom, the court expressed concern that the accused might have a “mental challenge.” It instructed the medical officer at the psychiatric hospital to conduct a thorough examination and provide a comprehensive medical report to ascertain Yedi's fitness to stand trial.
According to the prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ahiale, the complainant, Stephen Gyamesi, worked as a mason and lived in the same residence as Yedi in Pokuase-ACP, Accra.
The prosecution narrated that on February 19, 2024, around 3:00 am, the complainant was relaxing on the verandah when Yedi suddenly emerged from his room wielding a cutlass. Yedi allegedly began attacking the complainant without any provocation, prompting the complainant to call for help. Upon hearing the commotion, bystanders rushed to the scene and intervened.
Both Yedi and the complainant were subsequently taken to a nearby police station. The complainant formally reported the incident, and a medical form was issued for him to seek medical attention. Following medical examination and treatment, the complainant presented a fully endorsed medical report from Raymond Freeman Dzansi, a medical officer at the Ga-West Municipal Hospital, Amasaman.
In his statement to the police, Yedi reportedly admitted to attacking the complainant with a cutlass. The court awaits the results of the psychiatric examination to determine the next steps in the legal proceedings against Yedi.