Josephine Panyin to spend the weekend in Police cells after her family failed to meet bail conditions
Madam Josephine Panyin Mensah accused of staging her own pregnancy and kidnapping in Takoradi will, unfortunately, have to spend the weekend in Police custody as there have been delays in verifying a document at the Western Regional Lands Commission.
Philip Fiifi Buckman, the lawyer for the accused, indicated that the Regional Lands Officer was not available to sign documents on the properties to cover the accused’s GH¢50,000 bail, which was granted on September 27, 2021.
Mr Buckman further reiterated that the Regional Lands Officer was the only option for verifying the documents.
“We were just praying that we could get him [the Regional Lands Officer] to come to the office and do it [verify the papers] for us, but unfortunately, that did not happen.”
Mr Buckman also revealed how he was unable to get in touch with the Lands Officer, to whom the documents were addressed.
Following his unsuccessful bid to push for his client’s release with a motion at the court. He added, “I actually drafted my motion but unfortunately for us, this week is the week for the conference for the judges and magistrates, so no court is sitting to be able to hear [the bail motion] for us.”
Lawyer, Martin Kpebu, who is noted to have successfully challenged such status of non-bailable offences at the Supreme Court, also described the situation as worrying.
He said, “It is not as if she [Josephine Panyin Mensah] is needed in custody for any further investigations or something”.
“The Supreme Court has said it; personal liberties are too precious to be left to an administrative agent,” he added.
In addition, Mr Kpebu complained that the bail conditions given to Josephine Panyin Mensah for a non-violent offence were too steep.
“The thing is that these conditions, sometimes, are too arduous, and they keep accused persons in custody unnecessarily. I thought this offence was a misdemeanour so why the need for a justification?”
Josephine Panyin Mensah has been charged with deceiving a public officer and publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic following her alleged kidnap that got the whole country talking.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
