Drama in court … accused blames victim’s father for indecent assault
A 42-year-oldcar washer, Mr. Francis Agyei popularly called Shaba who is standing trial for alleged indecent assault of an 11-year-old school girl gave the people in the Accra Circuit Court ‘5’ good doses of laughter on Tuesday when he told the Court that it was rather the victim who attempted to kiss him.
He said that when he refused to accede to the victim’s advances, she told him (accused) that he was not a guy.
Hear him: “I did not touch her. She rather wanted to Kiss me and when I refused, she told me that I was not a guy,” thus drawing laughter from those in the courtroom.
But the victim (name withheld) vehemently denied Mr. Agyei’s assertion when she was cross-examined during a video conference.
She said that it was the accused who covered her mouth with a piece of cloth, dragged her to his room after she had finished easing herself in a toilet closed to his room, undressed her and inserted his finger into her vagina.
The accused had early on told the Court presided by Mrs. Christiana Cann in his cross-examination that, it was the father of the victim, Detective Sergeant Lawrence who inserted his finger into the vagina of his biological daughter when he traced and found her with Mr. Agyei, to ascertain whether the accused had slept with her.
“It is the man who “finger-printed” his daughter not me” he said, throwing the entire Courtroom into a “pool” of laughter.
Shaba is currently on a GH¢50,000.00 bail with three sureties, two to be justified.
He has, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge of indecent assault.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Opoku Aniagyei said that at about 12:30pm on July 20, 2021, at the Central Police Barracks in Accra, the accused removed the underwear and blouse of the victim and inserted his finger into her vagina.
He said that the victim, a class six pupil, was the biological daughter of the complainant, D/Sgt Lawrence Tettey, while the accused Mr. Francis Agyei, a car washer also lived in the same house with him.
He said that the victim on that fateful day went to their washroom to attend to call of nature when the accused who was within the facility, and in his boxer shorts held and dragged her to one of the rooms, removed her underwear and blouse, and inserted his finger into her vagina.
The prosecutor said that the complainant who was waiting for her daughter (victim) around the washroom made a follow up to the toilet to call her because she was keeping long.
Sgt. Aniagyei said that on reaching the washroom, the complainant saw only the skirt of the victim and decided to turn back but heard some voices in one of the rooms and knocked to find out those inside.
He said the accused responded and the complainant requested to know who was inside the room which he (accused) answered that he was alone.
Not satisfied with the answer, the complainant opened the door and saw the victim naked in the room. He arrested the accused to the Accra Central Police Station and lodged a complaint where a medical form was issued to him (complainant) to take the victim to the hospital for treatment.
By Castro Zangina-Tong
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
