Accused on rape charge discharged unconditionally

An Accra Circuit Tribunal trying Alex Gyekye, a 52-year old engineer who has appeared before it for rape, has discharged him unconditionally. The presiding judge, Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson-Yebuah, cautioned the prosecution that it can only re-arrest the accused if he is served with criminal summons.

The unconditional discharge of Gyekye followed a submission by the prosecution that it is withdrawing the charge against him. Explaining the prosecution's action, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Patrick Sarpong, who had earlier asked the tribunal to remand the accused in prison custody, said considering the distance between Ghana and Britain where the offence was committed, the prosecution needs much time to carry out its investigations.

Last week, Gyekye was arraigned at the tribunal for allegedly raping a number of black and white teenage girls when he was living in Nottingham, Britain, between 1972 and 1996. According to DSP Sarpong, while the Nottingham police was investigating the case, Gyekye bolted to Ghana. The accused was arrested when a parent of one of the victims got wind of his presence in Ghana and came down to report to the police.