DOVVSU: New developments in Mame Dokonu case "chilling"

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA - The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday said new developments in the operation of the Peace and Love Orphanage that belonged to actress and politician Grace Omaboe, were very "chilling'.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Owusua Kyeremeh, Regional Coordinator of the (DOVVSU), Accra, told the GNA that it would not, however, be wise to let it out for security reasons. "The new development would send chills through your spine," she said, and added that thorough investigations would be conducted to make a strong argument in court. "We can't say when she would be due in court but she would be processed for court to clear our conscience and know that we have discharged our duties creditably," she said.

The Orphanage, which has been closed down by the Department of Social Welfare, was run by Ms Omaboe, popularly called Maame Dokono. Maame Dokono has been charged with exposing a child to harm as stipulated by the Children's Act, after an eight-year-old boy allegedly sodomised a six-month-old baby.

Her self-cognizance bail has been revoked and replaced with a bail of GH¢1,000 with one surety to report to the Police Station three times a week due to the new revelations. However, a lawyer from the Kulendi at Law, a law firm who represented Maame Dokono, told DOVVSU on Monday that she could not report to the unit because she was unwell and had to see her doctor.

DSP Kyeremeh reiterated that Maame Dokono was not being charged because of her political affiliation with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). She said the action of the police was to protect children in the orphanage and noted that other children were molested at the orphanage. She said baby who was allegedly sodomised by an eight-year-old boy was responding to treatment. Pictures of the six-month old baby showed a hole in his anus making him pass faeces and blood.

Ms Omaboe, who was a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), switched allegiance to the NPP in the run-up to the 2008 elections. Her orphanage, which was operating illegally as its license had expired since March 2006, has since been closed down.