Catholic priest to be stripped of immunity to face paternity suit

A Human Rights lawyer has asked the Family Court in Accra to compel the Foreign Affairs ministry to apply to the Apostolic Nuncio for a waiver of the diplomatic immunity of the Catholic priest accused of impregnating a 24-year-old lady and refusing to accept responsibility.

The Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Yves Lucien, has refused to make himself available to be served with the writ covering the case due to his diplomatic status.

The Family Court in Accra has now ordered the registrar of the court to serve the Foreign Affairs ministry with the said writ.

The head of the Biblical center for Africa and Madagascar is to be served with the same writ.

Francis Sosu, the lawyer for the 24-year-old student of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) said he is hopeful that the immunity will be waived.

The case has since been adjourned to May 10.

Ganyoame who filed the writ on April 7 accused Rev Fr Yves-Lucien Evaga Njana of neglecting an eight-month-old child he allegedly fathered.

She wants a declaration that the respondent’s irresponsibility breaches the rights of the child to a name, basic necessities of life, welfare and social protection.

She is further praying the court to direct the Reverend Father to subject himself to a paternity test in order to establish whether he is the biological father of the child, among other reliefs.