Driver chops off passenger's ear over 500 cedis

Tema, March 26, GNA- A scuffle over 500 cedis difference in a taxi fare has caused one man his left ear and another, 10 million cedis or in default, five years imprisonment.

The Tema Circuit Court "A" on Thursday sentenced Maxwell Ankrah, a taxi driver to a fine of 10 million cedis or in default five years imprisonment for chopping off the left ear of Mr. Issac Asante, apassenger.

The accused person pleaded guilty to causing harm. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Mary Asunta told the court, presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that on March 17, this year, Mr Asante boarded the accused person's taxi cab from Tema Community one to Community two and on the way an argument ensued between them over the payment of the fare.

She said whiles Asante wanted to pay 1000 cedis, which he thinks is the appropriate fare but Ankrah demanded 1,500 cedis from him. Mr Asante then gave 2,000 cedis to Ankrah but instead of the 1,000 cedis he was expecting as his change, Ankrah gave him 500 cedis so he (Mr Asante) refused to get down from the taxi without taking the remaining 500 cedis change.

The prosecutor said a fight ensued between the two when Ankrah, trying to push Mr. Asante out of the cab chopped off the left ear of his passenger in the process and refused to produce the bitten ear to be sent to the hospital.