A request by a Ho-Circuit Court Judge to examine the plastered forehead of 70 year old Patrick Goka, pensioner, saved one John Agbeko, a farmer from being convicted for assault.
Just when Agbeko was about to be remanded in prison custody, Justice Frank Owusu-Afriyie, presiding, asked Mr Goka to remove the plaster on his forehead to enable him see the severity of the wound, which he alleged Agbeko had inflicted on him.
The allegation turned out to be false.
Justice Owusu-Afriyie reprimanded Mr Goka for misleading the court but spared him from being charged for perjury because of his age.
He also reprimanded the police investigator and the prosecutor for unwittingly helping Goka who would have succeeded in misleading the court.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwadwo Nkansah, prosecuting, told the Court that both Goka and Agbeko lived at Peki Dzake.
He said on April 15, this year, Goka organized a communal labour to clear a footpath leading to a farming area.
DSP Nkansah said at about 0900hours Agbeko arrived at the site carrying a single barrel gun with one live cartridge in the chamber heading towards his farm.
He said Goka asked Agbeko, whether that was his reporting time.
DSP Nkansah said Agbeko became furious and hit Goka at the left side of his head with the butt of his gun resulting in a big cut.
He said those with Goka managed to disarm Agbeko and arrested him, but he fled when he was being escorted to the Police Station.
DSP Nkansah said Goka made a report to the Police and was issued with a Police Medical Form for treatment.
He said on April 19, this year, Agbeko surrendered himself to the Police and denied the allegation.