Dr. Beckley Refused Bail Again

The Adjabeng Community Tribunal has refused to grant bail to Dr Ram Beckley, a medical practitioner and occultist being tried for assaulting and kidnapping a class three pupil. The tribunal, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Ankomah, ruled that regarding the complexity of the case and the unusual nature of the exhibits, a month would not be enough to complete investigations. The tribunal's rejection of bail followed an application by leading defence counsel, Mr Akwasi Bosompim.

Mrs Ankomah said forwarding of documents and dockets to the Attorney General's office for advice would take more than a month. She acknowledged defence counsel's concern about his client's fundamental human rights but pointed out that protecting the fundamental human rights of the accused included ensuring his security.

Mr Bosumpim however noted that he would soon file an appeal at the Regional Tribunal against the ruling. "I am convinced that my client is innocent and the whole charge is a complete frame up," he said. Mr Bosompim reminded the tribunal at its sitting on June 3 that the accused had been remanded for more than a month while the prosecution had been giving different reasons just to keep him in custody.

Counsel said under the criminal code, charges levelled against his client were not mandatory for which bail must be refused. Beckley was first arraigned before court on April 15 and has since been on remand. He was alleged to have lured the girl to his house under the pretext of buying some of the vegetables she was selling. He then tied the girl to a tree overnight without water and food, until her stepfather was informed and he raised the alarm. Beckley was subsequently arrested by the Police. On hearing the news, an angry mob set ablaze his residence and property running into millions of cedis at New Gbawe in Accra.