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4 in court for harassing widow, seizing husband’s property

 Four persons have been put before an Accra circuit court for allegedly harassing a widow and taking over her late husband’s property at Pokuase in Accra.

The accused, Cecilia Abutu, also known as (aka) Agumpaka, Akua Asantewaa, Issah Atinga, aka Baba Atambila, and Joseph Agumbere Abutu are being held for unlawfully interfering with the use of properties of a deceased.

Joseph and Cecilia are being additionally held for verbal abuse respectively.

The accused have denied the charges, and have been admitted GH¢10,000 bail each with two sureties.

The court presided by Mrs Rita Abrokwah Doko has ordered the accused to vacate the premises of the deceased since they had their fixed places of abode before the demise of their relation, pending the final determination of the case. 

They are expected to reappear on May 10.

Sergeant Opoku Aniagyei said Cecilia is a 72-year-old trader and a sister-in-law, Asantewaa is a 35-year-old trader and niece to the complainant‘s late husband. 

Prosecution said Issah Atinga is a 72-year-old security man and an uncle to the deceased, while Joseph is a 24-year-old student and a nephew to deceased.

Prosecution said the complainant is a 33-year-old unemployed widow residing at Pokuase.

Sgt Aniagyei said the complainant was married to Amos Atindare Abutu, a deceased Assembly member for Pokuase, Abenso, and had a-year and seven months old baby.

The prosecution said in September, last year, the complainant lost her husband, Cecilia and Asantewaa who were residing at Kete-Krachi in the Oti Region and Lapaz in Accra, respectively, came to reside in the house of their relation. 

They also took over the property and harassed the complainant on daily basis.

Sgt Aniagyei said Cecilia team up with her other relations and collected rent advance from two tenants in the house. 

The prosecution said Issah who is the head of family and the administrator of the deceased property, took over a communication centre owned by the deceased and failed to render accounts.

Sgt Aniagyei said on January 25, this year, when the complainant returned from Bolgatanga, she attempted to evict accused from the house, but to no avail.

He said the complainant reported the matter to the police at Pokuase, which was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, where accused persons were invited.

Mr Aniagyei said on February 18, this year, some community police assistants (CPA) at the Pokuase Police Station were asked to serve Cecilia with documents, but she verbally abused the complainant that she was a prostitute and a witch, who had killed her late brother, and wanted to take over all his property.

–  GNA

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