Court discharges accused in assault case

Accra, July 19, GNA - Nii Boye, a porter at Tudu, on Monday walked out of a District Magistrate Court Adjabeng a free man, but in the midst of laughter from the audience.

He darted out of the dock, hugged the complainant, Memuna Tokah, and put his right arm around her neck and shoulders.

With the arm of Nii Boye still resting on Memuna's shoulders, the two people walked out of the courtroom.

The Court presided over by Mrs Jennifer Dodoo cautioned and discharged Nii Boye after he had pleaded guilty with explanation to a charge of assault and causing damage.

Police Sergeant Ophelia Denteh told the Court that both the accused and the complainant, porters at the Aflao Station in Central Area of Tudu in Accra, had been familiar with each other for some time.

On July 5, 2004 who was Memuna was standing with another young man became offended when Nii Boye emerged and held her breast. Enraged at Memuna's resistance, Nii Boye slapped and beat her and destroyed her load tray.

The accused, in his caution statement to the police, admitted the offence.

In his explanation he said he had proposed love to Memuna and did not understand why she rejected his proposal. The court agreed to Memuna's plea to withdraw the case. 19 July 04