Friday, February 7, 2014

Student to be sentenced - for posting nude pictures of fiancee on Facebook


The student who posted nude pictures of his fiancée on Facebook in retaliation for being jilted by her wept uncontrollably at the Circuit Court in Accra last Wednesday, February 5, 2014.
Henry Alibah pleaded guilty to the offence and wept as his lawyer implored the court to have mercy on him.
His tears did not evoke any sentiments in the trial judge, who reminded him that emotions did not come to play in the law.
That reminder, nonetheless, did not stop him from shedding more tears.
He will be sentenced on February 18, 2014.

Snippets of offence

The accused person, who posted the nude pictures of his former fiancée on Facebook on November 25, 2013, added the caption: “Porn star, pay and f**k.”
He then proceeded to attach his former fiancee’s mobile phone number to the uploaded picture for interested persons to call.
He was first arraigned on January 22, 2014, and a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf by the court, presided over by Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah.
Counsel for Alibah, Mr Gad Cobbinah, told the court at its sitting in Accra last Wednesday that his client had showed remorse and would, therefore, not repeat that act again.
According to counsel, the accused person had apologised to the complainant, her family and the respective schools they both attended.
Mr Cobbinah stated that his client was a first offender and, therefore, averted the court’s mind to the fact that the law allowed either the imposition of a fine or a bond to be of good behaviour as punishment for Alibah’s offence.

The charge

According to the prosecution, Alibah committed the offence at Mamprobi in Accra after his 10-minute ultimatum to the complainant to rescind her decision to leave him had lapsed.
He has been charged with causing emotional, verbal or psychological abuse, contrary to Section 1 (b) (iv) and Section 3 (2) of the Domestic Violence Act 737/07.

Facts of the case

An Inspector of Police, Mr Kofi Atimbiri, told the court that the complainant was, for the past two years, the fiancee of the accused person.
However, the complainant called off the relationship three months ago via a telephone call but her decision infuriated the accused person, who insisted the relationship be continued.
According to the prosecution, Alibah had earlier called the complainant and warned her to return to him or have her naked pictures posted on Facebook.
On November 25, 2013, the accused person again called the complainant on phone and gave her 10 minutes to change her mind or have her naked pictures uploaded on Facebook.
He uploaded the pictures after the 10 minutes had lapsed and he had observed that the complainant was not prepared to return to him.
The complainant’s friends saw her naked pictures on Facebook and quickly drew her attention to the issue.
She later reported the matter to the police, resulting in the arrest of the accused person.

Writer’s email: mabel.baneseh@graphic.com.gh.

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