Fetish Priest, three others in court for assaulting a witch

Asamankese, June 15, GNA- Kwabena Wutoh, a fetish priest and three others, on Monday appeared before the Asamankese Circuit Court for assaulting a woman accused of being a witch. Wutoh and his accomplices, Ben Sackey, a teacher, Kwame Lartey and Forster Gomoe, both farmers pleaded not guilty. The accused persons were remanded in prison custody with the exception of Sackey who was granted GHC 500 bail with one surety. They would reappear on June 24.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Nyonator told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Siame that in October 2007, the fetish priest and the three others shaved the hair of the complainant Helena Foli and subjected her to severe beatings at a shrine in order to free her from the witchcraft she was accused of using to kill a man. Chief Inspector Nyonator said the complainant's ordeal followed the confession of one Dede Sarah as a witch at the fetish priest's shrine.

After the confession she mentioned Helena as an accomplice who conspired to kill the man. The prosecutor said on the strength of that allegation, the fetish priest asked Sackey, who is a relative to Helena to bring the complainant to the shrine.

He said Lartey and Forster later went for Helena, who was initially reluctant to go but was convinced by Sackey to do so. Chief Inspector Nyonator said in the course of the performance of rituals, the fetish priest shaved Helena's hair with scissors and he together with the three assaulted her. A report was later made to the police and the four were arrested. Initially, they were put before a Suhum Magistrate Court while a duplicate docket sent to the Attorney General's office in Koforidua, recommended that the accused persons be charged with assault. 15 June 09