THE REPUBLIC vs. TETTEH DERRICK

The Genesis of this Appeal is as follows: The Accused was arraigned before the Circuit Court Accra on the 11th February 2019 on One count of Defilement of a child under 16 years contrary to section101(2) of Act 29/60. The Particulars of Offence states “Tetteh Derrick Male: Footballer:Aged 26 Years: For that you on or before July 2018 at Teshie Camp 2 in the greater Accra Circuit Court and within the jurisdiction of this court, did defile Eva Ayokor Tawiah a female child aged 12 which resulted in pregnancy.” I must comment that when you look at the Charge Sheet it is indeed a surprise that the victim’s name did not originally feature in the Particulars of Offence. Then it was scribbled in in. Additionally the signature of the prosecuting officer appears but there is no date on which this correction was made. This may appear to be pedantique but we must insist on high standards especially in all matters where the liberty of an individual is concerned. It is inconceivable that o...