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There was drama on the premises of the Accra Circuit Court at the weekend when sympathisers of a woman charged with raping another woman attacked some journalists for taking pictures of the accused person.

The sympathisers, led by the father of 26-year-old Queeny Akuffo, rushed on the journalists outside the courtroom and demanded that they delete all the pictures they had taken as she stepped out after the court proceedings.
While pushing some of the journalists, Queeny’s sympathisers also hurled insults at them.

The tension was diffused after the sympathisers were escorted by some security men to their vehicles.

Charge

Queeny has pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape and has been granted bail by the court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku.

She is said to have sedated a 22-year-old neighbour, Janet Amoakwa, and raped her with an artificial penis, otherwise known as dildo, at Ablekuma in the Ga West District.

Fact

The facts of the case are that on January 25, 2016, Janet was on her way to buy food for her son when she received an invitation to visit Queeny.

According to the prosecution, the victim quickly went home to attend to her son before she honoured the invitation.

When she entered Queeny’s house, she was ushered into the sitting room, where Queeny offered her a glass of Vodka, but she declined it.

However, Queeny convinced her to take it with the explanation that it was non-alcoholic.

After she had taken the drink, the victim realised she was becoming tipsy, but Queeny assured her it was normal.

“Later, Queeny sent her sister who lived with her to buy two bottles of beer which they consumed,” the prosecution said.

The victim passed out after taking the beer only for her to wake up the next day in her own house.

According to the police, it was later that Janet realised Queeny had drugged and raped her with an artificial penis and recorded it.

Victims account

At last Friday’s sitting, Janet told the court that both she and the accused lived at Ablekuma.

Led in evidence by Chief Inspector Judith Asante, Janet, unemployed and a mother of one, said she usually washed the clothes of the accused person for a fee.

She said on January 25, 2016, her younger sister, Elizabeth Amoakwa, informed her that Queeny was looking for her.

According to her, she went to Queeny’s house and was offered a drink by her, but she initially refused the offer.

She told the court that Queeny convinced her to drink by offering her own glass to her, with the explanation that it was not alcoholic.

After taking the drink, she said she did not know what happened again.

“When I woke up, my mother informed me that we will go to the hospital and the police station. It was later that I was told Queeny drugged and raped me with an artificial penis and videoed it,” she said.

Adjournment

When the case was called, counsel for the accused failed to show up, prompting the presiding judge to issue a stern warning to the accused to impress upon her lawyer to show up at the next sitting.

“Tell your lawyer that the court will not tolerate any excuse, if he fails to show up. In such an instance, the court will have no choice but to allow you to lead your own defence,” the judge said.

The case was adjourned to February 24, 2016.