28-year-old nurse jailed six years for pouring hot water on husband

A twenty-eight-year-old nurse, Zainab Ali, has been sentenced to six years in prison with hard labour after she poured hot water on her husband, Ryan Yussif. 

The convict, on January 12, 2024, poured hot water on her husband, Ryan Yussif, following a misunderstanding over the use of Ryan’s car.

According to the prosecution, Zainab and Ryan have been married for four years and have two children aged three years and 9 months old.

On January 12th, 2024, the couple quarrelled over who should use the saloon car.

The victim Ryan on his way to work, noticed that his car key, which he had placed in one of his pockets, was missing. Upon searching Zainab’s handbag, he found the keys and kept them in his pocket. Zainab realizing Ryan had taken the key from her handbag, confronted him. During a struggle, Zainab held the genitals of Ryan.

Ryan, allegedly in return, slapped Zainab. The prosecution added that Zainab went out of the bedroom, entered the kitchen, boiled water in a source pan, returned to the bedroom, and poured it on Ryan, who was sitting on the bed, causing extensive burns to his body.

Ryan immediately called his uncle, Chief Superintendent Yussif Mahamud, who came to convey him to KABSAD Hospital for treatment.

Zainab reported the case to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), where she made a formal complaint of assault against her husband and was subsequently issued with a medical report. Two days after the incident, Ryan’s condition worsened, and he was rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he was admitted for further treatment.

The police were informed of Ryan’s condition, and a medical form was issued to the victim for endorsement. The medical report revealed that the victim suffered burns of superficial, partial thickness, and deep partial thickness over parts of his neck, chest, abdomen, left forearm, and left and right thighs.

Zainab admitted to pouring hot water on the victim upon her arrest. She was subsequently charged with causing harm, contrary to Section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29), and arraigned before the Tamale High Court for trial.

The judge, Justice Eric Ankomah, after nearly three months of trial and five witnesses testifying against Zainab, found Zainab Ali guilty. She was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison for hard labour.

The spokeswoman of the victim, Nur-Rahman Iddrisu, welcomed the judgement, saying, “We are happy justice has been served.”