John Odartey Lamptey, a businessman accused of brutally assaulting his wife at Ofankor in Accra, has been remanded for a second time after appearing before a Circuit Court at the Police Headquarters on December 3.

Lamptey, who first appeared before a District Court, now faces charges including causing harm, physical assault, two counts of threat of death, and engaging in domestic violence. His sister, Grace Lamptey, a 51-year-old food vendor, was also arraigned and charged with threat of harm. Both pleaded not guilty.

While the court ordered John to remain in custody, it admitted Grace to bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties and directed her to report to the police every two weeks. The case has been adjourned to December 16.

Prosecutors opposed bail for John, arguing that granting him release could jeopardise his own safety and potentially influence witnesses. Defence counsel countered that the accused persons were not flight risks, noting that they were arrested in their known residences and were ready to comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.

The complainant, Harriet Amuzu, a 32-year-old unemployed woman, is the wife of the first accused. The couple has two children.

According to the prosecution, investigations established that in July 2025, John assaulted Harriet, inserted pepper into her vagina, and forcibly had sex with her. He allegedly seized her mobile phone and one of their children, compelling her to flee to relatives for safety.

On November 15, he reportedly contacted her, claiming their two-year-old child was unwell. When she returned the following day, she discovered the child was not sick. The next morning, as she attempted to collect her belongings, John allegedly tore her clothes, insisting he had bought them, and prevented her from leaving.

Prosecutors told the court that he stripped her naked, tore her dress and waist beads, and threatened to kill her. “You think I will let you go like that? I will kill you. I set a trap for you, and I will bury you at the cemetery behind us,” he allegedly said.

John is said to have assaulted Harriet with an aluminum mop stick and a slipper and later brandished a cutlass, ordering her to stretch out her hands so he could cut them off. He allegedly continued the assault with a PVC pipe, an incident captured in a video that circulated widely online.

Harriet managed to escape and went into hiding.

Grace, the second accused, allegedly confronted and threatened the person who posted the video, saying, “I give you three days; you will die.” She was later arrested.

The prosecution said Harriet re-emerged from hiding on November 20 and underwent medical examination and psychological counselling.