Joana Coffie, the former wife of businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye, has formally petitioned the Ghana Police Service, demanding an update on the status of multiple complaints she lodged over alleged years of abuse during their marriage.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, her lawyers, Dame & Partners, said their client had been forced to seek police intervention after what they describe as a prolonged period of violence and mistreatment spanning about eleven years.
According to the statement, Joana, who was married to Quaye and shares three children with him, first filed a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service on December 9, 2025.
The lawyers say that decision followed repeated incidents of alleged physical abuse, which they claim were often triggered when she confronted him over alleged infidelity.
The petition details what the legal team describes as a pattern of assaults, including being kicked, slapped, punched, and whipped with a belt.
They argue that these claims are not merely anecdotal, stating that some incidents are backed by video evidence and have already been referenced in court proceedings connected to the couple’s divorce.
Beyond the physical abuse allegations, the letter also raises claims of sexual coercion within the marriage.
The lawyers state that on several occasions, Richard Quaye allegedly attempted to force sexual relations after returning from trips where he had been with other women.
They add that when Joana resisted, it allegedly led to further beatings and, at times, financial neglect within the household.
The complaint, according to the lawyers, was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), which began investigations.
However, the firm expressed concern about what it describes as a lack of progress.
They pointed to an earlier case, reportedly filed about three years ago, involving an incident at a residence in Dansoman, Accra.
In that case, Richard Quaye is accused of attempting to forcibly break into Joana’s bedroom in the middle of the night by cutting down the door.
The lawyers say that complaint has seen little to no action since it was lodged.
Dame & Partners argue that the apparent delay in handling both the earlier and more recent complaints has raised serious concerns for their client.
They say she is worried not only about her own case but also about what it suggests for other women who seek justice through the system.
In their request to the Police Service, the lawyers are asking for a clear update on the investigations, including what steps have been taken so far and what actions are being pursued to ensure accountability under Ghanaian law.
They stress that the outcome of the case could influence public confidence in how domestic violence complaints are treated, particularly for women who rely on law enforcement for protection and redress.
Joana Coffie’s lawyers also copied key authorities, including the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in the petition in a bid to ensure swift justice.
Source: Ghanaweb