Court declines complainant's request to settle defilement case at home

Accra, Aug. 23, GNA - The fate of a complainant in a defilement case was left in the balance when a Circuit Court in Accra on Tuesday declined her request to settle the matter at home. It, however, asked the Prosecution in the case to put its house in order for hearing to commence on September 12.

The action came after Ms Patience Okwei, the complainant of a defilement case, had written to the Court stating that she had agreed to a request by the accused, Emmanuel Foli, 20, to settle the case out of court.

"In view of that I, therefore, appeal to your honourable court to withdraw the case from court since we have agreed to settle the case," the letter said.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Emmanuel Boison objected to the Complainant's request saying the law did not permit out of Court settlement on defilement cases, and the court agreed with the Prosecution.

The case of Prosecution is that victim is a 15-year-old pupil, who lived with his father at Osu in Accra. Foli, an artist, also resides in the same area.

On July 28, this year, the victim went to town and on her return met Foli, who lured her into his room, and defiled her and kept her for four days. The Prosecution said on July 31, the victim went home and when she was questioned, she mentioned Foli as the one who abducted and defiled her.

A complaint was lodged with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Police Service. Foli, who pleaded not guilty to defilement, was remanded into prison custody. 23 Aug. 05