The Takoradi Circuit Court A sentenced Josephine Panyin Mensah, the central figure in the fake pregnancy and kidnapping case, to a fine of 600 penalty units, or GHC7,200.
She was sentenced on the second count of the charge of publication of false news to cause fear and panic among the public.
A pregnancy test carried out on the accused proved that she is currently pregnant, which saved her from serving the three-year jail term usually associated with misdemeanors.
Josephine Panyin narrated to the court how she was kidnapped, met 12 other pregnant women in a secluded place, was delivered of her daughter, and later found herself at Axim.
The court through investigations and further interrogations with the accused later established that the above never happened in the course of time.
However, Judge Michael Ampadu dismissed the first count of the charge of deceiving a public officer, explaining that the complainant in the case was the accused husband, not any public officer who initially reported his wife missing to the police.
“The complainant is not a public officer but the husband of the accused; so nobody can tell me that the accused person deceived a public officer or is liable… I therefore acquit and discharge her on that count,” Justice Michael Ampadu said.
Justice Michael Ampadu read portions of all eight prosecution witness statements that complemented the accused’s confession statement that she feigned the act of kidnapping and pregnancy because she couldn’t bear the shame of telling her husband about her first miscarriage.
Justice Ampadu said, “What will make a woman go through all the stress of walking from Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta and continue on foot to Axim bearing all the risks in mind?” “I think families must begin to support women, especially when they miscarry, because it is a natural act.”
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Ghana | Atinkaonline.com