NPP capo can’t afford DNA test fee

The family of the 15-year old girl, who was allegedly defiled by the octogenarian founding member of the United Party (UP), Mr. Joshua Attoh Quarshie, has volunteered to bear the cost of the paternity test (DNA) that would prove whether or not he is the father of an issue that came out of the alleged defilement.

The family members took this decision, following Attoh Quarshie's refusal to pay for the $700 paternity test.

The Presiding judge, her worship, Olivia Obeng Owusu, ordered that both Attoh Quarshie and the victim be present in court at 9: 00 am on Tuesday, October 18, to go for the paternity test at the Med Lab.

On the first scheduled date for the paternity test, which was July 26 this year, confusion broke out regarding who was to bear the cost of the test.

As a result the case was deferred.

On September 15 the judge ruled that since Attoh Quarshie's name had been brought into disrepute, the paternity test might clear his name and for that matter he should be responsible for the cost of the test.

In view of the decision taken by the court, a date for the DNA test was rescheduled.

Again on September 19, Counsel for Attoh Quarshie, Mr. Kojo Smith told the court that the defendant was a sick old man, unemployed and not in a position to afford an amount of $700 for the test.

He therefore requested the court to review its order made on September 15.

The case started early this year at the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU), when a complaint was lodged against the octogenarian.

Attoh Quarshie was invited to WAJU, where witnesses were asked to give their statements.

Subsequently, he was arrested and given self-recognance bail due to his age.

However, when he was directed to report at WAJU the following week, he was said to be on admission in a hospital at Lartebiokorshie.

Since he was not appearing at WAJU, the victim's family instituted a legal suit against him for both the paternity test and maintenance.

WAJU investigations revealed that he had allegedly defiled the 15-year old girl, and the unit forwarded the docket on the case to the Attorney General's Department for advice.

The Attorney General advised that Attoh Quarshie be dragged before a court and charged with defilement.

The Accra Circuit Court, where he was summoned to appear, in turn, issued a bench warrant for his arrested but he had failed to appear before it.