Obuasi SHTS saga: Some victims being intimidated to withdraw complaints – Lawyer

Some alleged victims in the Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) sexual abuse case are reportedly being intimidated to withdraw their complaints, according to their lawyer, Isaac Ofori Mensah. He claims that individuals claiming to represent the school's suspended headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, have approached some students and their families, attempting to persuade them to discontinue the matter.

Mr. Mensah stated that a student who withdrew her complaint was approached at home to discontinue the issue. He could not confirm whether the headmaster personally instructed anyone to approach the students, but noted that some involved had claimed to act on his behalf. Mr. Mensah called for a thorough investigation into the alleged intimidation and expressed concern about the delays in handling the case, particularly after Abdulai was arrested and granted bail.

He questioned why the case was referred to the Attorney-General's Department for advice, contrasting it with the handling of other suspects who were remanded for weeks before being granted bail. Mr. Mensah also raised doubts about reports that the headmaster was unwell while allegedly traveling to Kumasi to interrogate some in custody.

He stated that an investigative documentary had kept the allegations in public view, warning that the matter might otherwise have faded from public discussion. He urged authorities to move the case forward in accordance with the law and addressed reports of a student withdrawing her complaint. He said another student, who was in Tarkwa at the time, was invited by the police after being mentioned by the first student, but when she arrived, she informed them that the first student had withdrawn her complaint.