Court Grants Self-Recognisance Bail To Dr Akwetey

An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday granted a self-recognisance bail to Dr Emmanuel Oblitei Foi Akwetey, Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance, (IDEG). Emmanuel, who is alleged to have deprived his wife and two children shelter, and conducted himself in a manner that made them feel constantly unhappy, miserable, humiliated and depressed, pleaded not guilty to both charges. Deputy Police Inspector Kofi Atimbire, told the Court that the complainant Dr Mrs Sylvia Anie Akwetey is currently based in London, while the accused is the Executive Director of IDEG. He said the complainant is legally married to the accused person and lived in their matrimonial home, H/No 12, Salvia Street, Dome Pillar 2, with their two children. Deputy Police Inspector Atimbire said the said house was jointly built by the couple, and the complainant and the children lived there before they left for London and that, she lives in her matrimonial home anytime she came to Ghana on a visit or holidays. He told the court that on September 2, 2011, in the night, the complainant and the two children namely, Sylvia Anie Akwetey and Emmanuel Anie Akwetey arrived in Ghana from London and went to their house where the accused person is residing. The prosecution said the complainant and the children rang the bell and knocked the gate several times but the accused did not open, and so they stood outside for hours, stranded. The complainant reported the matter to some high profile personalities, friends and family who intervened on their behalf but all fell on deaf ears. He said the complainant was distressed and the children were also traumatized, and felt constantly unhappy, miserable, humiliated and distressed, and later reported the case to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU)Greater Accra, and the accused was later arrested. The accused is to reappear before the court on January 29, 2014.