Court nullifies marriage

A Circuit Court in Accra on Thursday slapped a fine of GH¢1,200.00 on a driver, Sylvester Adjetey Okang over the charge of bigamy.

Okang, 39 in default would serve 12 months imprisonment.

Okang and three of his siblings who accompanied him to contract the new marriage were sentenced to a fine of GH¢600.00 each or in default go to jail for six months.

The three are Salomey Kooley Welbeck, Christiana Adjetey and Joshua Adjetey Laryea aka Alla Joshua.

The court handed the sentences after the four accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit crime.

The court presided over by Mrs Patricia Quansah explained that Okang’s sentence would run concurrently.

The Court further declared that the marriage between Okang and his new found love, Bernice Opokuwaa is nullified.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah told the Court that the complainant Martha Okang is legally married to Okang and they are blessed with two children.

During 2013, Okang who was then living with the complainant and their two kids; deserted his home at Nungua and relocated to Awoshie.

Okang and his siblings went ahead to perform engagement ceremony between Bernice Opokuawaa and Okang. On August 3, this year, a wedding ceremony was contracted between Okang and Bernice at a church in Accra.

According to prosecution Okang and Bernice had earlier on registered their marriage at the Registrar General Department where the two accused persons signed as witnesses.

On September 3, this year, the complainant visited Okang at his work place at La Trade Fair where she had information that Okang had wedded another woman.

ASP Acquah said the complainant reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Accra and the accused persons were arrested.