Prosecution would not invite Joy FM as witness in Asabees case

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - The prosecution on Friday told an Accra Circuit Court that it was no longer interested in inviting Joy FM, an Accra Radio station to give evidence in the case involving Jennifer Zuleika Lori, wife of a former Information Minister Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, who allegedly insulted a public officer.

"My Lord, the prosecution is no longer interested in calling on Joy FM to give evidence as the original source of the insulting behaviour put up by Zuliaka Asamoah Boateng," it said.

Chief Superintendent of Police Achigchab Boye said this after the fourth prosecution witness, Dr. Jarviers Abila, a medical doctor at the Mambrobi Polyclinic, had finished with his evidence. Dr. Abila, who was cross-examined by Nene Amegatcher, Counsel for Zuliaka, said after examining the complainant, Nana Kwame Osei, he found that he (the complainant) had bruises and tenderness of the left shoulder and neck from an assault.

He said Nana Kwame was put on drugs and treated and discharged. Nene Amegatcher contended that the bruises and the injuries that Nana Kwame sustained were the result of a fight he had the day before the incident and that the injuries could have been as a result of a fight with somebody else.

Dr. Abila, however, answered in the negative saying the injuries showed that he was assaulted during a fight. Zuleika is facing charges for allegedly using insulting language on a public officer. She pleaded not guilty.

She is said to have assaulted Nana Kwame Osei, a security officer with the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), insulting him, to wit, "Nkwaseafo", "Idiots", "Jungle Boys", "Low Class Boys" and then snatching a passport from him.

The court admitted her to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with sureties.

The facts as presented by Superintendent Boye are that Nana Kwame Osei on June 14, the complainant received instructions from the Greater Accra Regional Director of the BNI that Mr. Asamoah Boateng was going to travel out of the country hence he (Nana Kwame Osei) should prevent him. According to the prosecutor, the complainant was also to inform Mr. Asamoah Boateng about an invitation to the BNI the following day. The prosecution said on that same day, Mr. Asamoah Boateng was intercepted at Kotoka International Airport in the company of Zuleika and their two children, going through departure formalities. Zuleika was then in possession of her children's passports while Mr. Asamoah Boateng was holding his and that of Zuleika, which he submitted for checks.

Mr. Asamoah Boateng pleaded with the complainant to allow him to travel but Nana Kwame Osei declined. The prosecution said this infuriated Mr. Asamoah Boateng who started shouting and making calls on his mobile phone.

Zuleika charged on the complainant, held the collar of his shirt and forcibly snatched her husband's passport which the complainant had taken from him.

The prosecution said Zuleika thereafter rained insults on the complainant and a report was made to the Airport Police. The case has been adjourned to October 16.