Criminal cases such as defilement remain the responsibility of the state and can proceed even if complainants withdraw, the Upper East regional director of CHIRAJ, Abdulai Jalaldeen said.
Speaking on the State of Our Nation program on DreamzFM with NicholasAzebire, Mr Jalaldeen said defilement cases are “very serious offenses” because they involve minors who cannot legally give consent.
“In criminal matters, it is the Republic versus the accused person,” he said. “The case does not belong to the complainant.”
Mr Jalaldeen explained that while a complainant’s withdrawal may weaken a case, it does not automatically terminate it. Prosecutors can rely on evidence already gathered, including witness statements, recordings and circumstantial evidence.
He added that in cases involving children, multiple individuals, not just parents, can act as complainants, reinforcing the state’s obligation to protect minors.
The comments come as public concern over an alleged defilement case involving two young girls in the Upper East Region, where reports suggest a parent may seek to discontinue proceedings.
