By Collins Sarkodieh 
Jonathan Ohene Nkunim, a self-styled neuromuscular expert and alternative doctor, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape involving a broadcast journalist. Presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the Accra High Court has adjourned the case to June 26, 2026, to allow the prosecution to present its first witness. The trial will proceed under Ghana’s criminal assizes system with the assistance of a five-member team of assessors.
The prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh, intends to call three key witnesses to prove that Nkunim assaulted his female patients under the pretext of medical treatment. Among the high-profile witnesses slated to testify is award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, whose undercover operation originally exposed the suspect’s predatory patterns.
Defense counsel Justine Teriwajah has urged the five-member jury panel to keep an open mind, asserting that there is an alternative side to the narrative. Meanwhile, the court has granted the accused bail while he awaits the official commencement of the evidentiary hearings. This high-profile case has reignited intense national conversations surrounding the regulation of alternative medicine practices and the safety of vulnerable patients in Ghana.
What are the specific allegations against Jonathan Ohene Nkunim?
Jonathan Ohene Nkunim is accused of repeatedly raping a 40-year-old broadcast journalist in April 2020 under the guise of treating a persistent spinal condition. The prosecution states that during a therapy session at Nature’s Therapeutic Centre in Gbawe, the accused had non-consensual sexual intercourse with the complainant, falsely claiming the physical intrusion was necessary to free her rigid back muscles and reach her tailbone.
When the victim confronted Nkunim via WhatsApp messages, he allegedly apologized but justified his actions by claiming he had diagnosed a pelvic floor disorder that required intervention to aid her future fertility. The brief facts presented to the court indicate that the accused went on to schedule multiple weekly appointments, using each subsequent session to assault the patient without her consent.
Furthermore, checks conducted during the investigation revealed that Nkunim completely fabricated his professional credentials. While he informed his patients that he was a trained physiotherapist who had previously worked at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, official records from the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) confirmed that he was never registered or employed there.
How did investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni expose the suspect?
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni exposed the suspect by launching an independent undercover investigation after being alerted to the abuse by the traumatized broadcaster. Manasseh dispatched a female undercover agent to Nature’s Therapeutic Centre to test Nkunim’s clinical methods. The agent documented that the accused attempted identical, non-consensual sexual approaches on her during her initial consultation.
The evidence gathered from this sting operation was subsequently turned over to the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This critical intelligence led directly to Nkunim’s arrest on September 22, 2021, after police records indicated a broader pattern of him taking advantage of numerous female patients over several years.
Manasseh’s testimony as a prosecution witness will be vital to authenticating the digital and physical evidence collected during the undercover phase. Under Ghanaian law, verified undercover audio and video files are admissible if they serve a clear public interest, such as exposing criminal behavior that threatens public safety.
What is the role of the five-member assessors in this High Court trial?
The five-member team of assessors, comprising four females and one male, is tasked with assisting the High Court judge in evaluating the facts and determining the final verdict. Selected under Ghana’s traditional criminal assizes initiative, these citizens act similarly to a jury panel to ensure community standards are reflected in indictable criminal trials.
During the empanelling process, the accused exercised his legal right to challenge the lineup, successfully rejecting one potential assessor before settling on the final five. Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh reminded the panel that the ultimate burden of proof rests entirely on the state, which must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Because rape is an indictable offense, it must be tried during special sessions of the High Court known as criminal assizes. These sessions are specifically designed to provide structured, speedy, and fair trials for grave societal offenses, including treason, murder, and robbery.
Factual Insights into Ghana’s Criminal Justice System and the Assizes Trial:
- The Trial Timeline: The high court trial is officially scheduled to commence with witness testimonies on June 26, 2026.
- Accused Status: Jonathan Ohene Nkunim faces four counts of rape and has entered a formal plea of not guilty.
- Undercover Lead: The sting operation that caused the suspect’s arrest was orchestrated by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
- Credential Fraud: The Allied Health Professions Council confirmed that the accused held no legal certification to practice physiotherapy.
- Jury Demographics: The chosen assessor panel consists of a four-to-one female majority to assist Justice Marie-Louise Simmons.
- Arrest Record: The Police CID originally took the suspect into custody on September 22, 2021, following extensive field surveillance.
Why does this case highlight gaps in Ghana’s alternative health sector?
This case highlights significant gaps because it exposes how easily unregistered practitioners can set up wellness centers and exploit patients due to weak local enforcement. While the Allied Health Professions Council regulates traditional physiotherapy, alternative therapy centers often operate in a regulatory gray area, making it difficult for citizens to verify corporate or medical legitimacy.
Medical ethics boards emphasize that a practitioner must always obtain explicit, informed consent before performing any physical manipulation. The fact that the accused could operate a facility in a suburb like Gbawe for years without proper licensing points to a critical need for stricter monitoring of community health clinics.
Public health advocates are using this trial to demand a centralized, easily accessible digital registry where patients can verify the licensing status of any medical professional in real time. Ensuring that people can quickly check credentials before booking a session is the most effective way to prevent predatory actors from masquerading as specialized doctors.
The upcoming June 26 trial of Jonathan Ohene Nkunim marks a crucial step toward securing justice for the victims of medical sexual exploitation in Accra. By utilizing the robust criminal assizes framework and drawing on the credible evidence compiled by Manasseh Azure Awuni, the state is demonstrating its commitment to fighting gender-based violence.
As the High Court prepares to hear the opening arguments, the focus remains on the integrity of the judicial process. For the broadcast journalist and the public, this case serves as a sober reminder that professional titles must never be allowed to shield predatory behavior from the full force of the law.
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