Eric Asante, a 40-year-old teacher who was wrongfully convicted for a 15-year jail term for defilement, is seeking from the government, a total sum of GHS10m compensation in rebuilding his shattered life.
Human rights lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu, who is counsel for the accused, told Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM Friday that “the state should be made to recompense Eric(his client) after the wasted years he suffered in jail because of the lack of proper prosecution in this matter.”
He claimed they’re preparing a formal application to file for compensation shortly based on the conduct of the investigation years ago, that brought a mental and physical suffering to his client after the criminal trial and jailing process.
“This is the right thing to do” he stated, saying no monetary figure can compensate Eric, justifying the civil action for the wrongdoing that adversely impacted so heavily on his client’s life.
“If he were out he could have pursued a further studies and be promoted because he is a teacher. He could have gotten married and had children and so on as he’s now 40 years. Today his old time fiancée is now married with children.”
Background
A five-member Supreme Court panel presided over by Justice Anin Yeboah acquitted and discharged the former teacher on Thursday January 26 after DNA proved that the teacher was not the father of the baby that resulted after the alleged sexual act.
He was sentenced in 2005 by the Tamale High Court for defiling one Rubamatu Mohammed, then a 14-year-old pupil at the school Asante taught.
Eric Asante was released by the Supreme Court in September 2015 due to his good conduct in jail, having served two-thirds of his term.
Mr Asante, who had an initial appeal rejected, proceeded to the Supreme Court in 2012 and the court ordered for the paternity test to be carried out.
The results, however, indicated that he was not the father of the child. The Supreme Court then asked Mr Asante to apply for compensation from the state.
