Marwako assault: Lebanese supervisor granted bail

An Accra Magistrate Court has granted bail to Jihad Chabaan, the Marwako supervisor who has been charged with assault. He was remanded last Wednesday, March 8.

The magistrate court, Presided over by Victoria Ghansah, adjourned the case to March 20, 2017, to allow the defence counsel continue the cross-examination of the victim, Evelyn Aboagye.

The prosecution today [Thursday], led the victim through her testimony to the court. In her testimony, Evelyn Aboagye narrated the events leading to her alleged assault by the defendant.

The prosecution ended its cross-examination today [Thursday], but the defendant’s lawyer, Julio De Medeiros, was unable to complete the cross-examination of the victim.

The prosecution also announced that it may call at least five witnesses to testify in court.

Jihad Chabaan, a supervisor at the Abelemkpe branch of the Marwako Restaurant, is alleged to have dipped the victim’s face into blended pepper.

The Management of Marwako  suspended  the supervisor after the allegations emerged.

News of this assault sparked outrage from sections of the public with calls for a boycott of the fast food chain and other going further to demand Jihad Chabaan be deported.

Jihad Chaaban
Witness intimidation
The lawyer for Jihad Chaaban was compelled to deny claims that his client and the management of Marwako Fast foods, were intimidating potential witnesses in the trial.

During proceedings in the court on March 8 , the prosecution argued that the accused and Marwako’s management were threatening to dismiss staff members who had been invited by the police to serve as witnesses in the case.

Chaaban's lawyer, Augustine Asafo Adjei, rubbished such claims as false, noting that the police had said it had already concluded investigations before the court hearing.

Mr. Asafo Adjei also asserted that, during the court proceedings, the investigator looking into the case stated categorically that there was no external interference.

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By: Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana