Court rejects out-of-court settlement for Marwako case
An application for an out-of-court settlement by Jihad Chaaban, a supervisor of Marwako restaurant, who allegedly dipped the face of a female employee into pepper, has been dismissed by the Abeka District Court.
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The court, presided over by Ms Victoria Akua Ghansah, on Monday said the accused person must be given the opportunity to prove his claim of innocence.
According to the magistrate, since the complainant, Evelyn Boakye, had given her side of the story, it would be fair for Chaaban to also be given the opportunity to tell his story.
Lawyer for Chaaban, Mr Julio Demelores, last Thursday made a verbal application seeking the court to allow the two parties to settle the matter outside the courtroom.
According to him, the case was a misdemeanor and based on section 73 of the Courts Act, the court had the power to order an out-of-court settlement.
Counsel further argued that the case had generated needless controversy owing to its massive media coverage.
After the application was dismissed on Monday, Chaaban's legal team hinted of appealing it at a higher court.
Hearing of the case continues on April 12, 2017.
The accused person is facing three counts of causing harm, assault and offensive conduct to which he has pleaded not guilty.
He is on bail in the sum of Ghc20,000 with two sureties and has been ordered by the court to report to the Tesano District Police Command every Tuesday and Friday.