87 year-old man granted bail over rape charges

Kofi Aduobi, the 87 year old man accused of raping a 79- year- old bedridden woman, now deceased, has been granted bail by an Accra High Court.

Aduobi who is said to be going blind was granted bail of GHC100,000.00 with two sureties.

The court presided over by Mr Justice K.A Okwabi said Aduobi was granted bail on humanitarian grounds.

According to the court although a Magistrate court at Aburi had earlier ordered that Aduobi should be sent to the hospital because he was unwell, it had not been done.

The High Court also noted that its order to the Police in Koforidua to the accused to hospital has not been complied with.

Defence Counsel, Mr Baffoe Bonney indicated that his client’s health condition is deteriorating since he was remanded into custody by the Magistrate Court at Aburi and prayed the court to admit his client to bail.

Adoubi contended that on May 23, he appeared before court, after he was kept in Police custody for more than five days.

He said an application for bail made before a Magistrates' Court was declined in the initial stages of his incarceration.

According to Adoubi’s motion, he was unable to eat well at the cells and had hearing impairment.

Adoubi said his continuous stay in the cells could be dangerous for his health.

Defence Counsel admitted that though the offence, under which he was charged is non-bailable, he could be admitted to bail considering the circumstance of the case.

According to the motion, if Aduobi is granted bail, he would make himself available for trial as he had denied ever committing the crime as stated in the charge sheet.

“Applicant is willing and capable of abiding by the conditions if granted bail and is in no way going to interfere with investigations.

“Applicant is a peace loving member of the society, who would not engage in any violent conduct,” the motion said.

The facts as produced by the Police are that, Adoubi is a native of Aburi Akwapim in the Eastern Region where he resides.

According to the Police the complainants are the children of the victim.

The Police said the victim had been bedridden for some time and that on May 23, at about 1400 hours, the complainants returned from town to find Adoubi having sex with the victim.

The complainants assaulted the suspect and handed him over to the Police. The suspect stated that, he started dating the victim since 1996 and had been having regular sex with her.

According to the Police, Adoubi had indicated that he had witnesses, who would attest to that, adding that, his sexual encounter with the victim was consensual.

The Police said the victim was “speechless” and they were yet to receive a medical report on her.