Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 12 April 2006

Source: GNA

Tema DVVSU wants justice for an imbecile

Tema, April 12, GNA - The Tema office of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DVVSU), formerly WAJU has expressed grave concern about a man, who allegedly had a child with an imbecile, Ms Hannah Akyea, 24, now deceased but has been set free for want of prosecution. ASP Rebecca Nyamah, head of the Unit told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that, even though the suspect, Benjamin Harry Hdye 41, a Seaman, admitted initially that he made the imbecile pregnant, he denied responsibility after he heard that she (imbecile) was dead.

She said after announcing to the Tema Circuit Court "B", which was trying the case that she was dead, "suspect was discharged on the grounds that victim was dead and suspect over due in custody". The ASP said her worry was that justice must prevail in the matter and also the deceased's mother, Madam Victoria Amaning, who is currently catering for the child is very weak and poor, adding that, this could affect the child's upbringing.

She, therefore, appealed to the public to donate generously towards the paternity test to establish the biological father of the child.

As soon as this is done the suspect would be re-arrested to face trial and cater for the child, she added She said in November 2004, suspect was arrested after being identified to the police by the imbecile and her mother, the complainant, gave his particulars.

The ASP said the victim and the suspect lived in the same house at the Sakumono Village, near Tema and he took advantage of her situation and loneliness in the house and sexually abused her continuously until she became pregnant.

According to Mrs Nyamah, Hyde disappeared from the area, when he realized the victim was pregnant but re-surfaced after she had delivered and was subsequently arrested.