For the past one-and-half years, Paa Kwesi Pamford, a welder and tenant has been bathing at the porch instead of the bathroom provided by his landlord.

The landlord, Emmanuel Appiah, 45, suspected Pamford of performing rituals meant to take away the house from him.

When he challenged and stopped him from using the porch for bathing, Pamford became offended and decided to whip the landlord with a cassava stick, resulting in severe bruises. The incident happened on February 5, 2016.

Pamford was arrested and arraigned before the Amasaman Magistrate Court charged with assault. He pleaded not guilty.

Pamford, who first appeared before the court on March 16, was granted a GHC1, 000 bail by the presiding judge, Mr Osei Asibey.

The prosecutor, Inspector Frederick A. Ansah told the court earlier that, Pamford rented the single room two years ago from Mr. Appiah at Treba, near Kpobiman.

He said ever since, Pamford and his wife moved into the house, he always took his bath on the porch but his wife used the bathroom.

The prosecutor said Pamford’s behaviour led to several complaints from the landlord, which were ignored.

He said on February 5, 2016, at about 9:30 pm, Mr Appiah spotted Pamford, once again having his bath in the porch and questioned the propriety of his action.

The prosecutor said, Pamford became offended, held Mr Appiah by the throat and pushed him to the ground and used a cassava stick to beat him severely, resulting in serious lacerations at his back and shoulders.

The prosecutor said neighbours who heard the shouts of pain from the landlord, went to his rescue. A report was later made to the police who effected the arrest of Pamford.

The landlord was also rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and discharged, but he had to nurse his back wound for some weeks before they were eventually healed.