High Court Refuses Businessman Bail In Murder Trial Of Wife

The High Court in Accra has declined bail to a businessman, Mr. Prince Charles Dedjoe, who is facing trial for allegedly murdering his wife.

Trial Judge, Justice Mrs. Merilyn Wood, told the accused and his Lawyer, Nkrabeah Effah Darteh, that he does not trust that Dedjoe would make himself available for trial if he is granted bail.

“I am not convinced looking at the seriousness of the offence and the severity of punishment that the applicant would appear to stand trial. Application for bail is refused,” the Judge said.

The Court’s position aligned with that of the prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney, Salasie Kuwornu, who had opposed the Lawyer Effah Darteh’s bail application on grounds that the severity of the offense makes it likely that Mr. Dedjoe will run away if he is granted bail.

Also, the State had argued that the nature of the offense could put the life of Mr. Dedjoe himself at risk if he is released on bail.

In early March, the story broke of the death of Mrs. Lillian Dedjoe, who had been pronounced dead on arrival at the Lister Hospital after she had been rushed there from her matrimonial home.

Her husband, Prince Charles, who had rushed her to the hospital, had claimed that he was asleep when his wife slipped and fell to her death. However, the woman’s family quickly countered, revealing that Lillian died from spousal violence at the hands of her husband.

In court today, the accused’s lawyer, Nkrabeah Effah Darteh, told the court that autopsy on Lillian’s body confirms she had died from trauma to the head, something that does not appear to agree with the prosecution’s claim that she had been beaten to death with a footwear by the husband.