Judicial Secretary dispels media reportage on Nyinahin teacher assault case

The Judicial Service has rejected claims that a magistrate encouraged parties in the Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School assault case to settle the matter privately.

It says the case was withdrawn by the prosecution before any charge was read or plea taken.

The clarification was issued after public criticism followed reports that the court had advised reconciliation between teacher Eric Buernortey Apaflo and a female student involved in a widely circulated assault video.

In a statement dated June 12, Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed said the claims against the magistrate were not supported by the official record of proceedings.

He said the matter was reviewed internally after concerns were raised about how the court’s handling of the case had been presented in the media and on social media.

According to the Judicial Service, the case was registered at the Nkawie District Court as Case No. ASH/NK/CC/D4/120/2026.

When it was called, the accused teacher was represented by lawyer Melody Christian, while Assistant Superintendent of Police Frank Acheampong appeared for the prosecution.

The prosecutor, according to the statement, informed the court that he had been instructed by his superiors to withdraw the case.

The court then struck out the matter and discharged the accused.

Mr Ahmed said the proceedings ended at that point.

He stressed that the court did not hear the substance of the case and did not ask the parties to reconcile.

“No charge was read, nor was a plea taken,” the statement said.

The Judicial Secretary said it was therefore false to suggest that the trial judge advised the parties to settle their differences.

He added that both the official court record and the magistrate’s handwritten notes confirmed that the withdrawal came from the prosecution, not from any recommendation by the court.

The Judicial Service said the magistrate acted within the law and followed proper judicial procedure.

It also cautioned the public and the media against spreading inaccurate accounts of court proceedings.

According to the Service, false reporting can damage public trust in the justice system and unfairly call into question the conduct of judges and magistrates.

The case attracted national attention after a video of a confrontation between the teacher and the student circulated online.

The incident sparked debate about discipline in schools, student protection and the limits of teacher conduct.

The Judicial Service said accurate reporting of court proceedings remains essential to protecting the integrity of the judiciary and public confidence in justice delivery.