Celebrity broadcaster KKD charged with rape
According to Ghana Daily Graphic , the state has formally charged celebrity broadcaster, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD) with rape even though the alleged 19-year-old victim has indicated she was no longer interested in pursuing the case.
The state is however yet to serve KKD with a summary of the evidence gathered.
This came to light when the case was called at the Kaneshie Magistrate Court in Accra Thursday morning. The case was subsequently adjourned to Thursday January 29, 2015 to enable the prosecutors serve KKD with a summary of the evidence and the bill of indictment for his lawyers to study.
Graphic Online’s correspondent in court, Nana Konadu Agyeman reported that the prosecution asked for the case to be adjourned for one week when it was called Thursday morning.
After KKD is served, the committal proceedings would continue after which the case would move from the Magistrate Court to a higher court.
KKD was present in court. He wore a blue suit with a blue and white striped tie. His iconic hat was however missing.
The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court last week granted bail in the sum of GhȻ20,000 with two sureties to KKD on humanitarian grounds after 19 days on remand.
Withdrawal of rape case
It would be recalled that the 19-year-old lady at the centre of rape case against KKD wrote a letter that she was no longer interested in pursuing the case.
She communicated her decision to the police and made copies of the letter available to the prosecutors, the Registrar of the court and the Chief Justice.
The two page-letter, signed by the victim and issued on January 12, 2015 called on the authorities to stop the case, as she would not co-operate in the trial.
KKD’s apology
In a statement signed and issued in Accra by KKD on January 13, 2015, he asked the public to forgive him for the ridicule and disgrace he had caused to his family and that of the victim.
He blamed his shortcoming on what he described as “fleeting pleasure of the flesh” and acknowledged that he had sinned and prayed for God’s forgiveness.
He also expressed deep regret for the harm he had done the young victim and asked the media to spare her, her family and his from further agony.
Arrest
KKD was arrested at the African Regent Hotel on Saturday , December 27, 2014 following the alleged rape.
He was sent to court for the first time on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 and placed in police custody at the Airport Police Station.
He was charged with rape but he denied the allegations, saying the sexual encounter with the victim had been ‘consensual.’
He was first put before the Kaneshie District Magistrate Court on December 30, 2014 following his arrest.
The court, presided over by Mrs Adwoa Akyaama Ofosu, remanded him in police custody on the grounds that rape charges were non-bailable.
The court said the issue of consent and non-consent in a rape case would be determined at the trial stage and not at the magistrate court. For the full details click here.
Credit: Ghana Daily Graphic
