Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - The Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down an enhanced sentence on a 60 year-old man currently serving a 15 year-jail term at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison for manslaughter. In a unanimous decision, the five-member panel of the Supreme Court substituted the 15-year jail term with 21 years. The sentence is to take effect from the day of conviction.

Gabriel Quao Boso had appealed against the 15-year jail term slapped on him by the Court of Appeal in July 2003. Boso and Annab Fanan, who were jointly charged with conspiracy to murder and murder, were put before a Tamale High Court and convicted in March 2002.

The Tamale High Court sentenced them both to death by hanging on the charge of conspiracy to murder. No verdict was entered in respect of conspiracy to murder by the jury.

When he appeared before the Court of Appeal, it set aside conviction for murder and substituted it with manslaughter. Boso, however, appealed against the decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

When the Supreme Court delivered its decision on the appeal, it dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Court Appeal, handing down an enhanced sentence on Boso. The Supreme Court fixed February 4, to give its reasons. The Supreme Court panel are Mrs. Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the Chief Justice, Mr Justice S. A. Brobbey, Mr Justice Julius Ansah, Mr Justice Anin Yeboah and Mr Justice P. Baffoe-Bonney.