Alleged rapist doctor fumbles, dozes in court

The self-styled doctor of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Nicholas K. Wood fumbled during his interrogation at the Tema Magistrate Court last Tuesday, prompting the Judge, Isaac Adjei, to adjourn the case to allow for further investigations.

The suspected rapist, who insisted that he is a paramedic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, gave his age as 34 years, contrary to the 38 years he had told the police earlier.

Justice Isaac Adjei concluded his interrogation midway after the accused suddenly dozed off and nearly fell from the dock, but for the timely intervention of the court clerk.

Dr. Wood was reported to have refused to eat since the day of his arrest; but the court had requested the investigator handling the case to ensure that the accused ate before facing trail.

Strangely, the investigator handling the case kept shielding the accused from the media, unlike other suspects whom the police would usually invite the media to take snapshots.

Residents of Tema and its environs, who have so far shown much interest in the case, have expressed dissatisfaction about the conduct of the Domestic Violence and Victim Sup­port Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police in Tema, accusing it of trying to protect Dr. Wood.

Inspector Prosper Amegbletor, who held brief for Inspector Nana Okyere, accused the self-styled doc­tor of rape.

Lawyer Oscar Asante, Dr. Wood’s counsel, argued that the charge preferred against his client was a fabrication, explaining that his client and the victim had been dating and that the victim consented before the sex act.

He appealed for bail for his client, but the court declined the bail application and remanded the accused.

On July 15, 2014, Dr. Wood, a purported boyfriend of the victim, was alleged to have lured the lady to his residence in the evening where he allegedly forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

A police medical report form was issued to the victim who attended the Tema General Hospital after reporting the matter.

According to Inspector Prosper Amegbletor, the medical report showed that the victim suffered swelling on the right thigh and groin, there were some discharges from the private parts and her hymen was torn.