The late Stacy Offei Darko, Deputy CEO of National Entrepreneurship Innovative Programme (NEIP) has been frequenting the Advanced Body Sculpt Centre since 2014, lawyer for Dr. Dominic Obeng-Andoh has told an Accra High Court.

According to the lawyer, Jonathan Dzansi Ankrah, who is representing the embattled director of the Obengfo Hospital, Stacy was a regular client of the hospital and had successfully undergone a similar procedure in 2017.

He told the court that because the procedure was successful, she went back to the hospital for another procedure this year which also was successful. He noted that it was during her recovery period that she passed on.

Dr Dominic Kwame Obeng-Andoh is before an Accra Magistrate Court for allegedly murdering the late Stacy Offei Darko in May this year.

His lawyers attempted to secure bail for him at the magistrate court but the court declined jurisdiction and directed the lawyers to apply at a higher court.

Moving an application at a Criminal Division of an Accra High Court yesterday, his lawyer, Jonathan Dzansi told the court presided by Justice Kofi Dorgu that Dr. Obeng-Andoh is unwell and needs medical attention.

He said his client is a qualified medical professional who has been practicing for the past 20 years at hospitals including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as well one at Battor in the Volta Region.

The lawyer told the court that they are well informed that all the relevant persons involved in the investigation have been contacted and they had given their statements to the police. He added that it has come to their knowledge that all relevant documents in the case are also in the possession of the police.

He added that an autopsy has been conducted on the deceased and they are waiting for the results.

Mr. Dzansi told the court that the facts of the case although have been skewed so much, do not support the charges.

He stated that the accused person and his cleaner who is also standing trial for impersonation are all law abiding citizens who submitted themselves to the police when they were invited.

Mr. Dzansi added that Dr. Obeng-Andoh employs more than 100 people and all these people will struggle with their maintenance as well as their families who depend on them.

With regards to the cleaner, the lawyer stated that his offences per the charges have not been defined to be a felony and there is no prescribed punishment for it.

He, therefore, assured the court that the two will avail themselves at all times for the trial and prayed that his clients be granted bail.



Opposition

The state represented by Ashong Okai vehemently opposed the bail application saying the police are still investigating the matter and the doctor, when granted bail, will interfere with police investigations and witnesses.

He said the bail application is early in time and premature, adding that the defence team should allow the police to carry out their investigations.

He added that the doctor may commit similar offence when granted bail.

The court presided over by Justice Kofi Dorgu adjourned the matter to June 27, 2018 to rule on the application for bail.