A 62-year-old illegal miner was convicted by the Tarkwa circuit court to 20 years in hard labour after spilling what seemed to be acid on his 35-year-old ex-girlfriend Victoria Salamatu Safia in Prestea, Western Region.
After being found guilty of inflicting injury, John Tandoh, also known as Kojo Egyagurma, entered a guilty plea at his initial court appearance before Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, the presiding judge.
Tandoh kept his head down until Mrs Manu finished her sentencing, at this point, a policeman led him out of the courthouse.
Tandoh was released on amnesty in June 2020 after serving eight years of a 16-year sentence for a similar act, according to records from the Tarkwa Local Prison.
Prosecuting Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie stated that Tandoh and the victim shared a year of living in Prestea and working together at an illicit mining operation nearby.
According to her, Victoria accepted the convict’s proposal of love while they were working, and the two have been living together ever since.
Months later, the victim saw that Tandoh no longer treated her with the same respect and would argue with her without cause. Based on her own judgment, she ended the relationship.
As the two went about their own tasks on October 20, 2023, at around 0700 hours, they headed to the normal mining location to look for gold. According to the prosecution, a disagreement occurred between them, and Tandoh left for town.
Superintendent Essel-Dadzie told the court that Tandoh left the scene and returned a short while later with a bowl wrapped in a plastic bag, which the victim mistook for food.
According to the prosecution, the prisoner approached the victim, assaulted her, and sprayed her face, head, and other body parts with what seemed to be acid.
When a witness who was working close by saw the victim’s agonising burns and cried out for help, Tandoh grabbed out a kitchen knife, threatened to stab the victim, and fled the scene.
Victoria was taken to the Prestea Government Hospital and is presently undergoing treatment there after being admitted, according to Superintendent Essel Dadzie.
According to the prosecution, Tandoh was taken into custody from his hiding place at about 1430 hours and given over to the Prestea police.
