The Marwako assault case is really taking a very unpleasant turn for both the accused, Jihad Chaaban, and his victim, Evelyn Boakye…
Hearing of the Marwako assault case continued yesterday, Thursday, 16 March, 2017 at the Accra Magistrate Court. The prosecution led the plaintiff, Evelyn Boakye through delivering her testimony to the court. The prosecution also ended its cross-examination on Thursday.
But the defendant’s lawyer, Julio De Medeiros, was unable to complete the cross-examination of the victim. The magistrate court, Presided over by Victoria Ghansah, therefore adjourned the case to March 20, 2017, to allow the defence counsel continue the cross-examination of the victim, Evelyn Boakye.
At the end, Jihad Chaaban, the Lebanese supervisor was granted bail to the sum of GHc 20,000 with two sureties. He is also mandated, as part of his bail conditions, to report to the Tesano District Police Station every Tuesday and Friday.
Evelyn’s lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, has also disclosed intention to file a civil lawsuit against Mawarko Fast Foods. This he however said, will be done under the instruction of the victim’s family.
According to reports from Citi Fm, Evelyn has recently developed some mental-related illness. A source close to the family revealed that Evelyn has been displaying suicidal tendencies of recent.
She has reportedly been receiving treatment over the past few days, but was admitted at the Psychiatric Department of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital when her situation worsened with serious abnormalities after yesterday’s hearing.
It has been noted that there are inconsistencies in Evelyn’s account of the assault, both on several radio stations and at the court on Thursday. It was for this reason that her legal counsel deemed it necessary for a psychiatric assessment to be carried out on her.
It has been in the news that a Lebanese supervisor at the Abelenkpe branch of Marwako Fast Food Limited, one Jihad Chaaban dipped the face of one of the workers, one Miss Evelyn Boakye into blended fresh pepper, for not working at a desired speed.
According to one of the workers at the restaurant, Mr. Chaaban held Evelyn’s face down in the pepper for some minutes while squeezing her neck and raining abusive words on her. It was also reported that Chaaban, who happens to be the brother-in-law of the fast food manager locked up Evelyn, with the pepper splashed face for several hours to stop her from receiving assistance from her colleagues.
The incident had sparked off a public outrage, with many demanding for justice on the part of the assaulted victim, as well as a boycott of the Marwako Fast Food. Although the Lebanese supervisor reportedly apologised for his actions, the Ghanaian victim refused to accept the apology, insisting that her molester be made to face the law. Click here to read full story of the Marwako assault.
Jihad Chaaban was therefore arrested and subsequently arraigned before the Abeka Magistrate Court on Wednesday March 8, for three count charges of assault, offensive conduct, and causing harm. Although he pleaded not guilty in all three charges; court ruled that he remained in police custody till the next hearing on Thursday, March 16.
Jihad Chaaban has since been suspended by his employers, the Marwako Fast Food Limited.
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