Private legal practitioner, Kofi Bekai, has stated that a competent court has the power to overturn the investigative report on the Ridge Hospital incident.

He clarified that although the committee found no evidence of a fracture or dislocation in the nurse who alleged assault, this does not rule out the possibility that an assault occurred.

Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Bekai stressed that the investigative report will not affect the GH₵7 million defamation lawsuit the nurse has filed.

The Ridge Hospital Assault Investigative Committee, chaired by Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, revealed in its report that medical records showed no fracture or bone dislocation in the nurse, Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, who accused Ralph Saint Williams of assault.

The report, submitted to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Aknadoh on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, stated that the nurse was treated, given pain relief medication, and advised to rest.

Bortei, a rotation nurse at the facility, had earlier claimed that the incident caused a shoulder dislocation. She also received psychological support following the ordeal.

However, the committee concluded that, contrary to her earlier claims, no fracture or dislocation occurred.

Responding to the findings, Bekai explained that while the committee had completed its work, the courts remain the only competent authority to make a binding determination.

“The only place where a matter can be adjudicated is a court of law,” he said. “The investigative committee may have conducted a probe and reached a conclusion, but the court can set it aside. The nurse can still pursue her case in court, and the medical examiner who treated her will likely be called to testify.”

Bekai further explained the legal definition of assault, noting that under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), assault is defined as the intentional and unlawful act of forcibly touching another person without their consent, with intent to cause harm, pain, fear or annoyance.

He added that battery occurs when physical contact is made without consent, and if injuries result, the accused may be charged with both assault and battery, with the severity of punishment determined by the court.