I’m strong but pray for me – Akuapem Poloo begins jail term
Actress Akuapem Poloo has asked for support from Ghanaians as she begins her 90-day jail term.
In her first social media post after being sentenced over nude photos, she thanked campaigners who had clamoured for her to be pardoned.
Known as Rosemond Brown in real life, the mother-of-one said life was full of challenges, but she was not broken.
“Sometimes you have to pass through some things to make you strong to get somewhere. I know it is a test I have to go through,” she said in an Instagram post. “All that I need is your prayers and support”.
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All the pleas of Akuapem Poloo and her lawyers fell on deaf ears as Circuit Court judge, Christiana Cann, sentenced to jail.
Judge’s ruling
Delivering her sentence, the Accra Circuit Court judge Christiana Cann said there was a need to give such punitive measures to deter people who are fond of posting such pictures online.
She also expressed concern about how the societal and moral values of the country have fallen, as result of such practice.
“The action of the accused did not only infringe on the rights of the child. It morally corrupted those who saw the post. It also caused the pride and dignity of the country as a whole.
“This court is saddened by the current development of the citizenry posting their nude pictures on the internet and wonder what has become of our values as a country.
“Our morality has degenerated to such bestial levels that the accused person could do what she did. The law will take its full course in this matter today so that others who harbour such traits would be deterred.
“There is no doubt that apart from the canker of rape, defilement, physical assault, the publication of obscene materials are on the increase.
“There is, therefore, the need to uphold our societal values and deal with this canker. The best interest of the child shall be the primary concern of the court,” the judge read.
She then asked two questions she said was critical to the case that the accused Akuapem Poloo failed to do.
Did she ask for the permission of the child before posting the said picture?
Did she respect the child’s right?
The answer to these two questions was a resounding “No”.
Judge Cann supported her ruling with a scripture, Colossians 3:25, which states, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”
She also said she considered the fact that the accused Akuapem Poloo was a first time offender and again a single parent.
Why Akuapem Poloo was dragged to court
The actress posted a picture of herself and her son on his seventh birthday. Rosemond was captured naked, kneeling before the toddler, who was only seen in underpants.
While many criticized the actress over the photo, others jumped to her defence.
The actress later rendered an apology.
Initially, she was granted bail in the sum of GH₵100,000 with four sureties, two to be justified.
The two sureties were ordered to provide proof of ownership of any landed property worth the bail sum.
Facts
The facts of the case are that the complainant Bright Appiah is the Director of Child Right’s International Ghana, whereas the accused person is an actress.
On June 30, 2020, the accused person celebrated her son Mohammed Mudair’s seventh birthday and took a nude photograph together with her son and posted the same on her Instagram page, which went viral.
The prosecution said the accused’s conduct or behaviour undermines privacy or is likely to detract the son’s dignity.
The complainant then petitioned CID Director-General, and the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU).
The accused was arrested, and on her caution statement to police, she admitted posting the nude picture together with her son unintentionally.
But the text on her post read, “I’m naked in front of you because this is how naked I was when giving birth to you, so in case you find me lying somewhere, don’t pass by, but see me as your mom who brought you to life.”
This, according to the prosecution, indicated that she deliberately posted nude pictures together with her son.