Manasseh testifies in sodomy doctor's trial

Manasseh Azure Awuni, a broadcast journalist with Joy Fm, an Accra-based radio station, yesterday testified in the sodomy trial of Dr. Sulley Ali Gabass, the senior medical officer at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, Western Region.

The journalist, who is said to have met the doctor during investigations into the alleged sodomizing of a minor by him (Dr. Gabass), was to make his findings bare before the court.

Prior to the appearance of the Joy Fm reporter, the defence lawyers had wrapped up the about a month-old cross-examination which had subjected the victim to grueling bouts of questions.

In an in-camera hearing yesterday in the court presided over by Mrs. Rita Agyemang Budu, Mr. Awuni narrated his part of the story as it unfolded.

He was, however, unable to complete his evidence and is expected to reappear on February 10, 2015.

The Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital senior medical officer is before the court for allegedly sodomizing a 16-year old senior high school student.

Dr. Ali Gabass has been in custody over a two-count charge of defiling a child under 16 years and unnatural carnal knowledge – offences he has denied.

He is alleged to have in the months of October 2013 and April 2014 at Kasoa and Alajo respectively, had unnatural carnal knowledge of the victim.

According to the police, during the month of October 2013, Dr. Gabass arranged and met the victim at the Kasoa New Market area in the Central Region where he forcibly had anal sex with the victim in his car in front of the HFC Bank.

During police interrogation, Dr Gabass admitted knowing the victim as a friend, but denied having anal sex with him.