KKD granted bail

The Human Rights Court in Accra has granted ace broadcaster, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, KKD bail on humanitarian grounds but his woes are not over yet as the Attorney General is yet to decide on the withdrawal of the case by the rape victim. 

KKD is standing trial for allegedly raping a 19-year-old lady, Ewureffe Orleans Thompson.

Bail bond was set at 20 thousand cedis with two sureties to be justified.

The state opposed the bail application citing a 1970 case.

But the presiding judge rejected the argument, saying the case was decided at a difficult time in the nation's political history.

He said he will not allow a man's freedom to be unjustifiably curtailed merely on the basis of a 1970 case. 

KKD has denied raping the lady arguing that he had “consensual sex” with her. 

The lady in question has since withdrawn the case from court while KKD has rendered an apology for causing the victim and her family pain and trauma.

Meanwhile, Acting Director of Prosecution, Cynthia Lamptey, told the court that even though the AG's office has received a copy of the letter purported to have been written by the victim, the AG has not made any final conclusion on the case.

She said the office will have to conduct further investigations on the said letter before any final decision by the AG.

Arguing before the Human Rights Court for the bail, a defence lawyer Tony Forson said KKD finds himself in a difficult situation in custody.

He said the accused can barely walk and goes for physiotherapy at the Police Hospital every day and bears the cost for his medical care.

A copy of a medical form in which the doctor recommended daily exercise for KKD was forwarded to the court.

His lawyer claimed it is impossible for him to exercise because of his detention. 

The prosecution was however against the bail application arguing that the detention was not the cause of his ill-health.

Granting the bail, the judge Justice Kofi Essel – Mensah said the constitution elaborates on human rights and therefore holds the view that if a person is detained for an unbailable offence the state must bear the cost of medical bills of the accused.

He said the injunction on bail for some offences must be interpreted as the rights of some accused persons are violated.

GBC