Motion against burial of woman allegedly murdered by husband dismissed

An interlocutory injunction application against the burial of the late Lillian Dedjoe, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, on March 1, this year, in Accra, has been dismissed by the Accra High Court.

Prince Dedjoe, the husband of Lilian, who is currently in police custody, filed the motion to stop the family of his wife from going on with burial services in his absence.

Ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Rebecca Sittie said the family of the late Lillian had the right to bury their loved one, stressing that the corpse belonged to the family of Lillian and that they had the right to give her a befitting burial.

Mr Charles Ofori, who held brief for Nkrabea Effah, counsel for the applicant, told the court that the head of his wife’s family accused him wrongly, which accusation had caused him so much pain and bad publicity.

He argued that the late Lillian died of head injury and not from the slap as her father had told the public, and Dedjoe has a duty to bury his wife.

Afua Eyeson, counsel for the family of Lillian, opposed the motion and argued that applicant had no right over the deceased body.

She contended that the applicant was still in police custody and no one knew when he would be granted bail.

Ms Eyeson said Mr Dedjoe had no right to hold the family back as they continued to mourn their child.

Meanwhile, the Madina District Court has ordered the Cyber Crime Unit of the Ghana Police Service to unlock the phone of accused and that of the late Lillian to ascertain communication that ensued between them prior to the death of Lillian.

The case has been adjourned to June 18.

BY MALIK SULLEMANA