|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Tema Regional
Police Command branch, have apprehended Nicholas K. Wood, the
38-year-old self- styled medical practitioner at the Korle-Bu Teaching
Hospital in Accra, who allegedly raped a 22-year-old lady. The
culprit, unlike other suspects who are placed in cells whilst
investigations are underway, had been placed behind the counter since
he was 'smuggled' into the police charge office last Sunday dawn by
the police. Whilst there, he interacted with unknown persons,
relations and counsel and as well had access to a cell phone. Mr. Wood
is also under investigation for impersonation, as information gathered
by the police revealed that he is not a doctor but works with a
pharmaceutical giant in Ghana and supplies drugs to some institutions
such as schools and health facilities. Residents of Tema, who spoke to
DAILY GUIDE expressed worry over why the police granted the suspect a
self- recognizance bail in the first- degree felony case without
proper checks, after he purportedly confessed to the crime. The
victim, who was allegedly raped by the doctor at his residence in
Middle East, a suburb of Ashaiman, currently finds it difficult to
walk properly and speak well as a result of the brutal incident which
occurred last Tuesday. She was traumatized since the day of the
incident, which affected her education at a time of examination as a
first- year university student. The Police were said to have cautioned
the victim to learn from what had happened without showing enough
interest in the prosecution of the matter, which had attracted so much
attention in the metropolis. The victim's family said they would go to
any length to ensure justice was served, since they believed there was
an attempt by the Tema DOVVSU of the Ghana Police Service to cover up
the brutal rape case. On July 15, 2014, the self- acclaimed doctor, a
friend of the victim, was alleged to have lured the lady to his
residence in the evening where he forcibly had sexual intercourse with
her. A police medical report form was issued to the victim who
attended the Tema General Hospital after reporting the matter to the
police. The medical report showed the victim suffered swelling in the
right thigh and groin, coupled with some discharges from the private
parts and a torn hymen. Meanwhile, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has
dissociated itself from the said doctor. According to the Public
Relations Officer of the hospital, Mustapha Salifu, after going
through the hospital's records of employees, management "can state
emphatically that the said doctor is not a staff of the hospital.
"Management of the Hospital wishes to dissociate itself from one, Dr.
Nicholas Wood, whose story was carried on the front page of Friday
July 25, 2014 edition of DAILY GUIDE with the headline, KORLE BU
DOCTOR IN RAPE SCANDAL," a statement from the hospital read.
Meanwhile, the Tema Region Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olivia
Turkson, said pieces of information gathered by her outfit suggested
that Dr. Nicholas Wood could be an imposter. She told Joy FM yesterday
that the intelligence received within the past three days indicated
that the "title he is claiming is not correct".
