Rabbi Haddad, the Lebanese national who has been charged with rape of his 19-year old house help, has applied for bail at the Criminal Division of the High Court.
In moving the application, Counsel for the Accused person, Ralph Poku Adusei, stated that a report of assault was made at the Police Station on 3rd December, 2017, and two days later, the charge metamorphosed to rape.
Mr. Adusei further stated that investigations made by the Police did not mention any other person testifying to the incident and it was a case of one person’s word against the other.
Counsel for the Accused said that the fundamental human rights of the Accused person had to be respected and that the Accused could only be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
According to Mr. Adusei, the Accused is a foreigner and has lived in Ghana for over ten years. He further explained that the Accused was the sole breadwinner of his family which consisted of his wife and two children aged one and three years.
Counsel for the Accused said that in the Attorney General’s affidavit in opposition, the Accused was said to be capable of interfering with investigations if he is granted bail. This, according to Mr. Adusei, was an indictment on the Police and their ability to perform their duties.
He added that the Accused had a heart condition and has been at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (formerly Ridge Hospital) since 5th December, 2017.
He concluded by expressing his sadness on how public justice had taken the first course in the matter and prayed the court to grant the applicant bail.
In opposing the application, the State Attorney argued that rape is a first degree felony with a maximum sentence of twenty five years.
He also stated that the applicant had no fixed place of abode and may flee the country or may not avail himself to stand trial.
The State Attorney prayed the court to consider the severity of the punishment, exercise discretion and refuse bail.
The judge deferred the ruling on bail to 15th January, 2018.
Source:Â GhanaJustice/F.Kyeremateng
