State drops rape charge against KKD

 

The State on Wednesday filed a nolle prosequi on notice at an Accra Fast Track High Court to drop the charge of rape against Kwasi Kyei Darkwa, a broadcaster.

The State represented by Mrs Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, Chief State Attorney said it had no intention of pursuing the charge of rape against the accused person.

She said the state entered in nolle prosequi for the reasons that the victim in the case was unwilling to testify in court.

Mrs Obuobisa said the victim had stated that she was highly traumatised by the events of the day of the incident and its aftermath.

“The victim is not in the right frame of mind to appear before the court,” she added.

The prosecutor said the Attorney-General (A-G) expressed the conviction that it was not in the best interest of the victim and the prosecution to present her before the court.

Mrs Obuobisa said the A-G was mindful of the provision under the prosecutors code, one of which is that the best interest of the victim is to be considered in the cases of that nature in deciding whether to prosecute a case or not.

She said the other witnesses in the case, who were mostly family members of the victim, were also very unwilling to testify.

The Chief State Attorney said the A-G believed in the case and so held on to it with the hope that the witnesses would willingly appear to testify when they were needed by the court.

“That is not to say that the A-G is unaware of the various legal processes at her disposal to compel the witnesses to appear before the court,” she added.

She said it is to be noted that A-G still believe in the case and reserve the right to commence the prosecution once the victim and witnesses are ready.

It was upon the notice to the court that the Judge acquitted and discharged the accused person for want of prosecution.

KKD has been charged for allegedly raping a 19-year lady, an offence he has denied.

The State also at the last adjourned date requested for a jury to be constituted in the trial of the Ace Broadcaster.

Until his acquittal and discharge, a human rights court in Accra granted him bail on humanitarian grounds in the sum of GH₵20,000.00 with two sureties.

KKD, who was in court with his father and other family members, was full of smiles, when the judge made the announcement.

Source: GNA