Marie Aziz Tunde
Josephine Panyin Mensah, the 29-year-old woman at the centre of the controversial pregnancy and kidnapping claims in Takoradi has been ordered to open her defence.
The order was given by the Takoradi Circuit Court ‘A’ March 17, 2022, after eight prosecution witnesses testified in the case.
The eight included Michael Simons, the husband; Agnes Essel, the accused person’s mother; Michael Prah, a native of Axim and Ebenezer Nyame, also a native of Axim.
The rest were Dr. George Peprah of the Takoradi Hospital; Dr. Jerry James Abrokwa, Medical Officer at the Axim Government Hospital; Dr. Samuel Agyemang, a Gynaecologist with the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi and Detective Inspector Archims Amfor.
Prior to the Court Order, Counsel for the accused, Fiifi Buckman in his submission of no case argued that the Prosecution has not been able to establish a prima farce case against his client for her to open her Defence.
The Court, however, thought otherwise and indicated that the prosecution has been able to establish that the accused was not kidnapped nor was she pregnant.
According to the Court, presided over by His Honour Michael Ampadu, the accused was charged with publication of false news and deceit of a Public Officer.
It indicated that the Prosecution has been able to furnish the Court with all the requisite documents to support the two counts.
The Court pointed out that out of the eight witnesses only two- PW1 and PW2 said they saw the accused pregnant.
The Judge, however, indicated that all the doctors who conducted Medical Examination on the accused and testified in the case pointed out that Josephine Panyin Mensah was not pregnant.
The Court, therefore, indicated that it was incumbent on the accused person to prove that indeed she was pregnant.
”So she should be getting ready to open her defence”.
The Court then adjourned the case to April 7, 2022. Later in an interview, the Lawyer for the accused, Fiifi Buckman said he would later go for the Court order because there certain averments the Court made that did not support what was on record.
“So I will have to take the ruling and juxtapose it with the records that I have then we will see the way forward”, he added.
He continued”, I will also call my witnesses if the time comes or when we formally decide to open our defence”.