Bob Okala in custody for alleged defilement
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 03 June 2003 - Ace comedian Bishop Bob Okala, known in private life as Samuel Buabeng, was on Monday remanded into prison custody by the Sunyani Circuit Court presided by Kofi Debrah for allegedly defiling a 15 year-old girl at Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo region.
The 46-year-old Comedian pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault and defilement. The Court before remanding the accused stated that, "the case is a serious matter that has attracted a national attention and needs to be given an expeditious attention".
It added that because the victim was not present in court and accused presented himself after a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest on 14 April, this year, "he must be in custody till June 6, for the victim to be produced in court for briefing before fixing a date for hearing".
Assistant Superintendent of Police Alex Yartey Tawiah told the Court that the victim lived with the parents at Nkoranza while the accused, a member of the Key Soap Concert Party based at Teshie in Accra, is a native of Akim Oda in the Eastern Region.
He said on 10 October, last year, the accused and other Comedians went to Nkoranza to stage a concert show and lodged at the Mikesap hotel. The victim, who had also gone with some friends to watch the show, was requested by the accused to accompany the group to a place where they could get some food.
ASP Tawiah said after buying the food the accused bought some boiled eggs and asked the victim to help him carry them to his hotel room where he forcibly had sex with her.
ASP Tawiah said the victim after the act started bleeding with abdominal pains and informed a witness in the case who confronted the accused in the presence of his colleagues. Bishop Okala left the hotel early the following day to Accra without notice and one of the Comedians, called Abusua Panin Judas, was alleged to have given 20,000 cedis to the victim to purchase drugs.
He said the victim later became seriously sick and when questioned by her mother, she revealed what had transpired between her and the accused. The prosecutor said a report was made to the Nkoranza Police who issued her with a medical form to attend hospital and the case docket transferred to the Sunyani Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) for further investigations.
He said a medical examination was conducted on the victim by Dr Tolgau of Saint Theresa's hospital in Nkoranza, which stated "Old scar of hymen, bleeding from the uterus, vaginal and vulva injury". ASP Tawiah said WAJU visited the residence of the accused at Teshie Abaabi on various occasions but could not meet him so a criminal summons was served in the house for him to appear before court on 14 April, this year, but he failed to do so.
He said the accused surrendered himself to the police WAJU on 1 June, this year after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest but he denied the offence during interrogation.
GRi…/
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