A 30-year-old farmer, Kwame Afful, who allegedly cut off the lower lip of his nine year-old-stepson for ritual purposes and bolted, has been arrested by the police.

The victim, Kofi Ackaah, who was rushed to the Sefwi Chirano Health Centre, is responding to treatment.

According to Superintendent A.M. Sumaila of the Bibiani Police, on the night of June 14, 2002, the suspect quietly took the victim to an unknown place and cut off his lower lip, after which he administered some herbs to stop the bleeding and lessen the pain.

He said when the child fell asleep under the influence of the herbs, Afful quietly sent him back to his bed.

Mr Sumaila stated that some time in the night, Ackaah woke up crying and complained that his sore was paining him.

He said his mother, who was not aware of any sore on her son, became alarmed and fetched a lantern to examine the sore, only to detect that Ackaah?s lip had been cut off.

Mr Sumaila said when the woman reported the incident to her husband, he feigned ignorance and started behaving abnormally.

He said Afful later left the house unceremoniously while Ackaah was rushed to the clinic for treatment.

According to Mr Sumaila, Afful was later arrested by the police at Pataboso-Nkwanta.

He said when he was interrogated, he admitted that he cut the lower lip of his stepson.

He said Afful, however, named a woman, Adwoa Hohour, as an accomplice. The police have since arrested the accomplice.