Ghanaian socialite and actress, Akuapem Poloo will no longer serve a 90-day jail term after winning an appeal on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. She will now pay a fine of GHC12, 000 instead.
According to sources, the court freed the socialite and fined her 1000 penalty units on the three counts. It is worth noting that Akuapem Poloo will be totally free after her fine conditions are met.
On Monday, December 6, 2021, the legal counsel for Akuapem Poloo, led by Andrew Kudzo Vortia, challenged the dismissal of her appeal by the High Court with regard to her 90–day jail term over indecent exposure involving her son on social media.
The appeal notice read in parts: “Please take note that the convict/appellant/appellant herein, being aggrieved by the judgement of the High Court Criminal Division (1)Accra, Her Ladyship Ruby Aryeetey dated 1 December 2021 dismissing the appellant appeal against the conviction and sentenced to 90 days imprisonment imposed on the appellant on each count to run concurrently by Her Honour Mrs. Christiana Cann dated April 16, 2021, hereby appeals to the court of appeal on the grounds set out below and for the release stated hereunder.
“That the learned judge erred in failing to appreciate that as a young first offender and a single parent, a noncustodial sentence of a fine instead of a custodial sentence of 90days imposed on the appellant by the trial court is appropriate in this case. That the custodial sentence of 90 days imposed on the appellant be set aside and in lieu, be substituted with a non-custodial sentence or a fine”.
court appeal
Charges and Judgement
It can be recalled that the outspoken socialite was charged with three counts of publication of obscene materials, engaging in domestic violence conduct that, in any way, undermines another person’s privacy or integrity, and engaging in domestic violence namely conduct that in any way detracts or is likely to detract from another person’s dignity and worth as a human being.
Rosemond, who had displayed her naked picture with her son on social media on June 30, 2020, earlier pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, she later pleaded guilty and was sentenced on 16th April 2021. Akuapem Poloo was jailed for 90 days by an Accra Circuit Court. The court noted that it took into consideration all the pleas for mitigation before arriving at the decision.
Following the sentence, the actress, through her counsel, Mr. Andrews Vortia, on April 19, 2021, filed an appeal at the Accra High Court to challenge the ruling of the Circuit Court.
Akuapem Poloo also filed an application for bail pending the determination of her appeal. The actress was admitted to a bail of 80,000 Ghana Cedis with three sureties.
However, the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey on Monday, December 1, 2021, dismissed the appeal filed by Akuapem Poloo challenging her 90 days’ custodial sentence.
The court, while affirming the Circuit Court decision, noted that the punishment imposed was not “manifestly excessive” and “harsh”, but will serve as a deterrent to herself and others.
Owing to this, Akuapem Poloo was arrested again to continue her jail term. However, her lawyers appealed again and this time she won the appeal.
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