Counsel for the businessman standing trial for the alleged murder of his wife at their East Legon residence has expressed concern over the persecution of his client across social media platforms.
Lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey said he is worried his client whose hands are tied may not be able to defend himself as the case is in court.
His concern is premised on the fact that the case which started on March 10, in court appeared to have gained a huge audience, with the hashtag Justice for Lilian.
Mr Dartey’s passionate appeal comes after the Madina District court for the second time refused a bail application for the businessman for allegedly killing his 43-year-old wife.
Although counsel assured the court that his client was a very respectable person who had people to stand as sureties for him, the judge was not convinced.
Among other things, the court presided over by Madame Effua Tortimah denied bail on grounds that the district court does not wield such power.
“This court is not clothed with the jurisdiction to grant bail to the accused person except the High Court,” the judge said.
The suspect, Prince Charles Dedjoe, was not in court for medical reasons.
Counsel for the accused also informed the court that they had applied for bail at the High Court and the trial Judge had requested the record of proceedings.
Engagement with the media after court proceedings
Father of the deceased Seth Charles Kanglah Blasu said he is happy the case had begun and is hopeful that justice would be served for his daughter.
The president of FIDA, Afua Addotey, together with some Gender
Activists thronged the Madina court in solidarity with the deceased and all women victims to such treatments.
She told the media that the fight was not for only Lilian, but for all women.
Mrs Addotey charged the investigation department to exhaust all possible means to carry out thorough investigations to ensure that justice is done.
She also used the opportunity to appeal to the President to strengthen the country’s social protection system to benefit survivors and victims of intimate partner violence to enable them to attain an appreciable level of financial independence.
“It is critical for survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence to find a place that can provide them with shelter. This is a pressing need which is long overdue, and we call upon the new Gender minister, Hon Adwoa Saro to explore the possibility of making this a reality,” she added.
Aside the women group, some family members and sympathisers of the late Lilian Dodzi had thronged the premises of the court.
Most of them were clad in black and red T-shirts, holding placards with inscriptions such as Justice for Lilian, Stop domestic violence now!
How it all started
On March 10, this year, a district court in Madina remanded into police custody Prince Charles Dedjoe, a businessman, suspected of killing his 43-year-old wife.
He was arrested on Sunday, March 7, 2021, for allegedly killing his wife in their residence at East Legon.
The accused person has been slapped with a murder charge.
Police report reveal that a day before the incident, the father of the deceased had complained that his daughter had been severely assaulted by her husband (accused person).
But Mr Dedjoe, a day after the father-in-law’s report reported his side of the story to the police.
“At about 3:20 am on the said day, he rushed out from bed upon hearing his wife scream only to find her lying unconscious on their staircase.
“He, together with his two children, quickly rushed her to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,” according to the husband’s statement to the police.
Following the report, the suspect was arrested and detained.
The case is set to continue on April 12, 2021.
