Lawyers representing Joana Quaye, the ex-wife of Ghanaian businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye, have formally written to the Ghana Police Service requesting updates on several domestic violence complaints she previously lodged against him.
In a letter sent to the police this week, the legal team is asking for clarity on three fronts: the current status of the cases, the scope of investigations conducted so far, and any action authorities have taken in response to the complaints.
The request has brought renewed public attention to long-standing tensions between the former couple, which have periodically surfaced in media and court filings over the past few years.
What the Lawyers Are Asking
According to sources familiar with the letter, Ms. Quaye’s counsel want the police to state whether the complaints remain active, whether dockets have been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice, and whether any charges have been filed or are pending. The letter also seeks confirmation of steps taken to ensure the safety of the complainant.
The Ghana Police Service has not yet publicly responded to the request.
Mr. Richard Nii Armah Quaye is a Ghanaian businessman with interests in real estate and finance. He and Joana Quaye were previously married. Allegations of domestic incidents involving the pair have appeared in civil proceedings and media reports in prior years. No criminal convictions related to the complaints have been announced.
Ms. Quaye has not issued a personal statement on the latest legal request. Efforts to reach Mr. Quaye for comment through his business office were unsuccessful as of press time. He has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing in civil matters involving the former couple.
Under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), complaints can be lodged with the police, and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) is mandated to investigate. Cases may proceed to criminal prosecution, civil protection orders, or both, depending on evidence and legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Department.
Legal analysts note that complainants and their counsel are entitled to request updates on cases they have filed. “The police have a duty to investigate, but they also have a duty to communicate progress to complainants within reason,” said a private legal practitioner not involved in the case.
The legal team’s letter has drawn commentary on social media, with advocates for domestic violence victims citing the importance of transparency in police handling of such cases. Others have urged caution, noting that all persons are presumed innocent and that complaints alone do not constitute findings of guilt.
The Ghana Police Service will now decide whether and how to respond to the request for updates. If dockets have been completed, they may have been forwarded to the A-G’s Department for advice on prosecution. If investigations are ongoing, police may cite that in their reply.
Neither Ms. Quaye nor Mr. Quaye has indicated whether civil proceedings are also active between them.