Court to hear Akuapem Poloo’s appeal today as she awaits covid-19 test results

The Criminal Court 2 Division of the High Court will today, April 21 hear the appeal filed by the lawyer of social media personality, Rosemond Brown against her 90-day jail sentence.

Known in show business as Akuapem Poloo, the socialite was sentenced for publishing obscene material and for undermining the dignity and integrity of her seven-year-old son.

But her lawyer, Andrew Vortia, immediately appealed against the sentence, describing it as harsh.

He has also, subsequently, applied for bail for Akuapem Poloo pending a determination of the appeal.

The lawyer also told Citi News in an earlier interview that both the prosecutor in the matter and the Attorney-General believe the sentence was harsh .

But it remains to be seen what the State's official position will be on the appeal.

Akuapem Poloo was found guilty of publicizing a nude photo of herself and her seven-year-old son on June 30, 2020.

She pleaded guilty to all three charges and was convicted on her own plea by the court though she had initially pleaded not guilty.

She was handed her sentence following her conviction on charges of publication of obscene material and domestic violence by an Accra circuit court.

The judge, Christina Cann, bemoaned the spate of nudity on Ghanaian social media, maintaining that the punishment meted out to Akuapem Polo must serve as a deterrent to others. Appeal will be difficult'

But private legal practitioner, Bernard Owiredu has made a point that seeking an appeal on the judge's ruling will be quite difficult given the nature of the case and judgement.

“It is all within the strategy of the lawyer but looking at how the appellate system works, it will eat into the jail term. I am thinking that the judge will not even grant bail pending the appeal. Once the lawyer files the appeal, he may succeed in securing bail pending appeal. It happens, but it is very rare. If not, by the time the appeal is heard, 50-days might have passed already.”

“I think a full trial would have been the best. Now, it will be very difficult to appeal against the conviction. He can only appeal against the sentencing because the conviction was on her own plea”, he told Citi News.

She is being held whiles awaiting her covid-19 test results.

—citinewsroom