The Begoro District Court in the Eastern Region presided by His Worship Kwadwo Frimpong Manso has convicted two women to a total fine of Ghc3,520 for Organizing “strip dancing night” in breach of Covid-19 preventive protocols.
The convicts – Alberta Abrokwa and Selina Dede both residents of Apebourso a suburb of Begoro will serve six(6) months imprisonment in default.
The Prosecutor told the Court that, the complainant, in this case, is the Begoro district police commander ASP Mr. Aboagye Duffour.
He said, on March 5, 2021, the Police Commander engaged all the pub and drinking spot owners within Begoro Township and cautioned them to comply with the Covid-19 restriction during Independence Day and the subsequent holiday on Monday, March 8, 2021.
However, on March 6, 2021, about 9:30pm, the Police Commander says he received information that the operators of ‘Area Code Pub’ have organized an event dubbed ‘strip dancing night’ which some local artists were billed to perform to a large number of patrons who had gathered drinking and making merry contrary of the Covid-19 restriction imposed by President of Ghana Akufo Addo.
On March 8, 2021, the owners were invited by the police to assist investigation which in their caution statement Alberta Abrokwa said she was the owner of the pub that Selina Dede visits to assist her.
They were granted police inquiry bail and to produce the license covering the pub the next day.
According to the Police Commander, the convicts submitted two licenses of which one bearing the name of Selina Dede which was issued on 6-12-19 to expire on 31-12-20 with license no 108957, and another which also bore the name of Alberta Abrokwa issued on 12-2-2021 to expire on 31-12-2021.
Police, however, became suspicious of the second license, therefore, contacted the head of revenue of Fanteakwa North District Assembly Mr. Emahi Mohammed a witness in this case for clarification.
Investigation revealed that on March 8, 2021, having been granted bail, they contacted the head of Fanteakwa North District revenue officer to change the name on the license from Selina Dede into Alberta Abrokwa’s name with the pretense of changing ownership.
After the changes were effected, Selina Dede changed the expiry date from March 8, 2021, to December 2, 2021.
Selina Dede admitted the offense when interrogated by Police.
They were charged and put before Begoro District Court on March 10, 2021.
They pleaded guilty to the offense of breaching Covid-19 protocols and were convicted on their plea to a fine of GHc1,400 each on the first count in default serves 6 months imprisonment.
Selina Dede was additionally convicted to a fine of Ghc720 on the offense of forgery.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
