The court has set aside Akuapem Poloo’s prison sentence and rather imposed a fine of GHc12, 000.
Recall that in April this year, Akuapem Poloo was to spend 90 days in jail on her own plea as she pleaded guilty to a charge of the publication of n*de photos involving her son.
According to a report on GraphicOnline.com, the Criminal Division of the court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey upheld the Circuit court decision on grounds that the Circuit court’s decision was not manifestly excessive.
“This court will not interfere and the appeal is therefore dismissed,” Justice Aryee said.
The court ordered that in the absence of the convict, Akuapem Poloo’s child should be given to any competent person in the family to take care of.
On Monday, December 1, 2021, the High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey dismissed her Appeal seeking a non-custodial sentence instead of a custodial sentence.
The High Court ruled that, the 90 days custodial sentence imposed on her by the Circuit Court was not “manifestly excessive” and “harsh” and therefore cannot interfere with that decision.
Five days after, her lawyers led by Andrew Kudzo Vortia have filed a notice of appeal to challenge that decision and notice for bail.
The Court of Appeal in Accra instead, imposed a fine of GH¢12, 000 on the convict.
The three member panel of the Appellate court, presided over by Justice Henry Anthony Kwoffie, held that the 90-year jail term was fair.
The court on Wednesday December 15 2021, therefore, substituted the custodial sentence with a fine.
She was sentenced to 1000 (GH¢12,000) penalty units on count one and 500 (GH¢6,000) penalty unit each on count two and three.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
