Deputy director of Kumasi High School released charges of sodomy

General News of Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-02-06

A high court quashed an investigation report according to which George Amponsah – Duodu, deputy director of Kumasi High School, was guilty of homobadual acts with a school pupil.

According to the decision of the five-member panel, the report violated the rules of natural justice by not giving the hearing to Deputy Director Amponsah-Duodu before presenting his final report.

The judge in charge, Judge Georgina Mensah Datsa, said: "It is undeniable that the applicant was not heard before the report containing adverse conclusions was prepared. It is against the right to be heard. "

It also attributed a cost of 5,000 Ghc to Mr. Amponsah-Duodu.

In November 2018, four students from the all-male school made allegations of sodomy against the vice-principal.

After preliminary inquiries, Mr. Amponsah-Duodu was subsequently suspended by the Ashanti Regional Education Authority for allowing a thorough investigation without any interference.

However, in an appeal to the Supreme Court, the complainant's lawyers, chaired by Gary Nimako, stated that the committee that reviewed the case did not comply with the rules of natural justice.

"That the committee deliberately failed, refused and neglected to bring my accuser before the committee so that I could cross-examine him on the allegation against me."

"That when the 2nd respondent (the director) was questioned about giving me the opportunity to meet and cross-examine my accuser on the allegation, the 2nd respondent replied in the negative."

Reliefs sought by the applicant

In their four reliefs, the plaintiff, accompanied by his lawyers, humbly asked the court:

1. The inquiry report of the 2nd defendant's committee is presented to this Honorable Court for cancellation.

2. An injunction order addressed to the defendants, their firms, their agents, their agents or to any person claiming or claiming to be acting under which the defendants are authorized to pursue any disciplinary investigation involving the plaintiff Honorable Court.

3. Cost, including legal fees.

4. Any other order that the Court deems appropriate.

The suspended deputy director insisted that he was innocent.

Describing these unfounded allegations, Mr. Amponsah-Duodo baderted that he had no contact with the alleged victim.

He argued that the committee examining the allegations was "necessary only by hearsay or by an affirmation without any concrete documentary or evidentiary evidence".