In a tragic turn of events, a 55-year-old farmer named Isaac Donkor has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and a GH￠600 fine by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for mistakenly shooting and killing a hunter. The incident occurred in the community of Timtimhwe, along the Tarkwa-Bogoso Highway in the Western Region.
Donkor, who mistook the hunter, Aziz Abukbil, for game, pleaded guilty to charges of negligently causing harm and possessing a firearm without authority. As a result, he will serve six years in prison if unable to pay the fine, with both sentences running consecutively.
According to Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, prosecuting the case, the events unfolded on January 16, 2023, when Abukbil went on a hunting expedition but failed to return. A search led to the discovery of his body in the bush with gunshot wounds on his face and arms. Donkor later confessed to using his unregistered CBC single barrel shotgun, mistaking Abukbil for an animal.
Following the incident, a postmortem examination conducted by Dr. Frederick Yaw Sarpong determined the cause of death to be "Traumatic head injury." Additionally, a ballistic examination confirmed that Donkor's firearm had been discharged.
Initially charged with murder, Donkor's case underwent thorough investigation and review by the Attorney General’s Office, leading to the final charges of negligently causing harm and possessing a firearm without authority. The court also ordered the destruction of the CBC single barrel shotgun.
This unfortunate event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible firearm ownership and hunting practices. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Aziz Abukbil during this difficult time.
-source citinewsroom | curated by Aisha Yakubu | Ghana Crimes
