The Wa Circuit Court has adjourned the case involving the two lovers who were publicly flogged over their nude videos shared on the internet.
The adjournment is to allow the prosecution enough time to conclude their investigations into the matter and file all the necessary processes for the commencement of the trial.
The case continues on 12 July 2022.
The accused persons Bushran Khidri, a 34-year-old mobile phone repairer, Naa Sidiki Osman, 62, and Duoho Naa Issahaque Mahama, 70, charged with causing harm, were in court today.
At the last adjourned date, it was revealed that a sub-chief was the mastermind behind the prescribed punishment of public flogging.
The name of the said sub-chief was given in court on Thursday as the Degu Naa, Adam Seidu Pelpuo.
He is said to have given the final instruction for the flogging.
What happened to the lovers
The lovebirds were reportedly beaten up because they were seen having sex in a video that had gone viral on social media.
They were tied separately to a pole at the forecourt of the Wa Naa’s Palace in Wa and whipped mercilessly.
Residents were heard cheering in their native language, with others recording in sheer amusement.
They believe flogging them will serve as punishment for tarnishing the reputation of the town and for engaging in an act that is frowned upon by Islam.
Reports indicate that the duo was arrested by some young men in the town and taken to the palace.
However, upon their arrival at the palace, the Wa Naa was absent. Instead of waiting on the chief, the young men decided to take the matter into their own hands and delivered a punishment they deemed fit.
The young woman was served with her lashes first in reference to the popular saying ‘ladies first’.
The man also had his fair share of lashes shortly after.
Facts before the court
On 1 June 2022, one of the suspects, Khidri, and others now at large are said to have been incensed by a sex video that was circulated on social media and caused the arrest of the two persons in the video and sent them to the Wa Naa’s Palace for arbitration.
They then accused the two lovers of posting a sexual video of themselves on social media.
Per the facts, the second and third accused persons Naa Osman and Naa Mahama respectively, and other sub-chiefs who are now at large, ordered that the two partners be tied to the pole at the forecourt and flogged.
Three young men who are also yet to be arrested complied with the orders of the two-sub chiefs and flogged the victims to serve as a deterrent to others.
The prosecution said it was in the process of the inhumane treatment of the two victims that the video went viral on social media and attracted the attention of the police.
After the three were arrested, they mentioned Degu Naa Adam Seidu Pelpuo as the one who gave the final instruction for the flogging.