Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 9 September 2010

Source: GNA

Three people before court for allegedly performing illegal abortion

Accra, Sept. 9, GNA - Two women and a man on Thursday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly performing an illegal abortion at a hotel at Anyaa an Accra suburb.

Clement Fameye Akesseh, a nursing assistant, Rebecca Adu and Cecilia Adu, sisters and traders have pleaded guilty to conspiracy and performing illegal abortion.

Rebecca and Cecilia were remanded into prison custody to re-appear on September 16 for sentence.

The court presided over by Mrs Patience Tetteh Mills ordered the arrest of Akesseh who failed to appear before the court.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Margaret Ayidaana Awuni said the complainant was Kwadwo Kumi a staff of the hotel, while Rebecca resides at Palas Town and Cecilia at East Legon.

ASP Awuni said Rebecca informed Cecilia that she was two months pregnant and wanted to abort the pregnancy therefore, on August 26, this year, the three accused persons agreed to meet at the hotel.

The prosecution said after a period, the complainant heard Rebecca screaming and informed the Police, who upon entering the room saw her naked in a pool of blood.

ASP Awuni said when the room was searched, a polythene bag containing medical instruments such as scissors, syringe, hand gloves, three packets of 91quick action' pain killers and an iron bar with blood stains on them.

She said Rebecca was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and was discharged the following day, and after investigations the accused persons were charged.