Residents of Ashamain New Town are yet to find out why a legally wedded woman who had not ended her first marriage allegedly left her matrimonial home to be wedded to another man.
Eva Adjabeng who is married to one Matthew Blay was alleged to be in the process of being married to another man when her husband was hinted.
According to the sad story, when Mr. Blay decided to react to the heartbreaking news, about his wife’s intentions by going to his father in-law, he had the shock of his life. Not only was the dowry he had paid for the woman returned to him but also the father-in-law, Charles Kwadwo Adjabeng, 58, allegedly led three of his male children to attack him and damage his property.
Giving the facts of the case at a Tema Community Tribunal, Inspector Sarah Acquah said, Mr. Matthew Blay, in a bid to seek employment, travelled to Begoro leaving his wife behind at Ashaiman.
Unfortunately, he fell sick while at Begoro and so had to stay there for two months before returning home.
On his return, according to the prosecutor, instead of receiving a warm welcome from his wife, he met an empty house.
He therefore followed to his in-laws but did not meet his wife there too. To worsen his plight, no one was ready to tell him anything about his wife’s whereabouts.
Mr Blay was therefore shattered when he later heard that his wife was getting married to another man.
He quickly investigated and rushed to the Apostolic Church, Tema Community where the Pastor-in-charge confirmed the story.
In a desperate mood, Mr. Blay informed his family elders and together they approached his in-laws to settle the issue amicably.
But on the contrary, while Mr. Blay was in his room the next day, his father-in-law together with his three male children, Alfred Adjabeng, 32, Charles Kofi Adjabeng, 25 and Jonathan K. Adjabeng, 35 arrived. Thinking that they were there, to settle matters, he gave them chairs. His hopes were however dashed when they returned the bible, wedding ring and a bottle of schnapps he had given to them.
He refused to accept the items and suggested that their act was uncustomary and ended up infuriating his in-laws. They attacked him and subjected him to severe beatings until he rescued by his co-tenants.
In the process, inspector Sarah said, he had his shirt valued at 40,000 cedis torn, his wrist watch valued at 80,000 cedis damaged and cash of 420,000 cedis in his shirt missing. They also caused damage to his tape recorder.
He therefore reported to the Ashaiman North Police Station and the four men were arrested. They all pleaded guilty before His Honour Capt (rtd) Philip Agbeyome’s Tribunal where they pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of assault but denied causing damage to his property or even stealing his money.
They have all been granted a 1million cedis bail each to re-appear.