Private legal practitioner, Bernard Owiredu says the 90-day jail term handed to social media sensation, Rosemond Brown, is harsh.
He is of the view that Ms. Brown, popularly known as Akuapem Polo, aside from being a first-time offender, should have been given a more lenient custodial sentence for the sake of her seven-year-old son.
“I am a bit worried about her, especially because of her child. I am not too happy because, since she is a first time offender, I was expecting that she would probably be given 15 days [in jail], even if it was going to be a custodial sentence. I think it is a bit harsh if you ask me. The crime is a misdemeanour, not a felony. So cautions and fines are allowed,” the lawyer said on Eyewitness News.
“She has been remorseful. There is a [special] connection between a mother and her children, so I am worried about the psychological trauma [Rosemond Brown’s] child will go through. I am of the view that the interests of the child will be affected because of the custodial sentencing,” he added.
Akuapem Poloo was found guilty of posting a nude photo of herself and her seven-year-old son on June 30, 2020, his birthday.
She pleaded guilty to all three charges and was convicted on her own plea by the court though she had initially pleaded not guilty.
But 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
Meanwhile, the actress’ lawyers plan to appeal the ruling and make a mitigation plea to ask for a more lenient punishment.
‘Appeal will be difficult’
But Bernard Owiredu makes a point that seeking an appeal on the judge’s ruling will be quite difficult given the nature of the case and judgment.
“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.”
