Bawku (U/E), March 1, GNA - A magistrate's court in Bawku on Thursday imposed a A25.2 million fine on a 26-year-old plastic wares dealer for inflicting blade wounds on a customer during a row for defaulting in the payment for a plastic basket bought on credit. Mariama Moro, who pleaded not guilty, said she acted in self-defence, but the court upheld that there was no basis for her plea and accordingly convicted her.

The court also bonded her to be of good behaviour for five months or in default serve five months in prison.

Three million four hundred thousand cedis of the fine would be used as compensation and medical expenses incurred by the victim. In default accused will serve five months in prison.

Police Inspector Dentis Atigsika told the court presided over by Mr Paul Alhassan, that in the early part of January this year, the complainant, Zenabu Abubakari, bought a plastic basket from the accused on credit terms for A225,000 and was to make daily payments of =A22,000.

He said Zenabu paid A212,000 and defaulted for some days after being taken ill, whereby she explained her situation to Mariama but this did not go down well with her. Inspector Atigsika said since Mariama was not satisfied with Zenabu's explanation, she (Zenabu) told Mariama that she could no longer pay the A225,000 since the basket was being sold on the market for =A215,000.

He said Mariama agreed and promised to refund the A212,000, but this later resulted in an exchange of words between the two before they were separated.

The next day, the two met at the Mosque for Friday prayers and insulted each other, during which Zenabu assaulted Mariama severely before they were separated by other worshippers. Armed with a blade, Mariama later followed Zenabu to her house and inflicted cuts on her face and breasts.