I Did Not Rape House Girl — Embattled Lebanese Tells Court

Lawyers of Rabih Haddad, the 39-year-old businessman accused of raping his 19-year-old domestic help say the suspect was not at the scene of the crime.

According to Ralph Poku Adusei, his client was not at the place the crime was committed.

He told an Accra Criminal High court yesterday that Haddad has an alibi and questioned why his client is still in custody.

Ralph had gone to the high court in yet another attempt at bail after an Accra Central District Court had refused the accused bail.

Meanwhile, the court presided over by Justice Justine Dogu said she is yet to study the Attorney-General’s affidavit filled against the bail application before the court.

She explained that she needs time to study it.

Ms. Rebecca Smith representing the AG said the prosecution is expected to receive result of the DNA test in January.

Haddad whose plea was not taken is being held for rape.

Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police Kweku Bempah informed the court that the matter was under investigations and awaiting DNA test to prove the case of rape or otherwise.

Supt. Bempah prayed the court to remand him into Police cells near the Police Hospital.

Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong a former Attorney-General was in court watching brief for the victim.

The facts as narrated by the Prosecution was that the victim is a 19-year-old Togolese who was engaged as a domestic house help in the house of Haddad.

Supt. Bempah said the Haddad is a Lebanese resident at Airport, Accra.

Prosecution said in the month of November, this year, the victim was employed by the accused as a house help and he was in the boys’ quarter of the house with another house help.

The prosecutor said ever since the victim moved to the house the accused had persistently harassed the victim and insisted to have sexual intercourse with her anytime occupants including Haddad’s wife were not in the house.

Supt. Bempah said on November 30, this year, Haddad, in the afternoon, lured the victim into one of the rooms upstairs of the house and had sex with her after all the occupants in the house had left.

Prosecution said the victim reported the incident to a co-worker in the house but both kept the incident to themselves for fear of losing their jobs.

On December 2, this year, between 4:00pm to 5:00pm when Haddad’s wife and kids had gone out, Haddad requested for coffee from the victim.

The victim then proceeded to the kitchen to prepare the coffee and Haddad approached the victim and demanded sex from her.

Slap

Prosecution said the victim resisted and that infuriated Haddad who slapped her on the face and held her neck and dragged her into the master bedroom.

According to prosecution Haddad stripped her naked and had sex with her on the bed.

Soon after the act, Prosecution said the accused person warned her not to inform anyone in the house and he took his bath and left the house in his car.

Prosecution said victim for the second time reported her ordeal to the co-worker who in turn passed the information to a Police officer who was on duty nearby.

The matter was therefore reported at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Airport upon which Haddad was arrested.

Prosecution said the victim was issued with a medical report form to seek treatment while DNA test was conducted to confirm or otherwise the allegation of rape.

Haddad has however denied the offence, the prosecution said.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson/ thePublisher