The legal team of ex-Ghana international John Paintsil is hoping to engage the Ghana Police to settle a case of assault of a police officer out of court.

This is according to his lawyer Joseph Awakpaksa who managed to secure a bail for the player last night around 8pm. 

"We are looking forward to exploring the option of alternative resolution of this matter. My client has been charged already with court action as the next thing but we want to settle this out of court," Mr Awakpaksa said.

Paintsil is said to have punched a police officer as he was going through procedures in a domestic issue that had been brought to the East Legon Police Station on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.

The ex-Black Stars defender, John Paintsil managed a smile in relief last Wednesday night after he was led away from the counter of the East Legon Police a station by Black Stars Skipper Asamoah Gyan. This was after Paintsil (wearing a pair of fitting pants, black sneakers, and a black summer singlet) signed his bail form. 

Paintsil spent Tuesday, May 24, in the cell after a disagreement with his wife of 12 years, Richlove Paintsil who reported to the East Legon police.

Paintsil's brief account

The ex-Berekum Arsenal and Fulham player confirmed to Joy Sports that there was a misunderstanding between himself and his wife.  Reason ?

"She forged my signature and effected a change of ownership of my car into her name," Paintsil said with a disturbed look on his face.

According to him, these unfortunate happenings in his home are a great bother to him. 

"I want to stage a news conference after the storm in this whole matter withers. I want people to know the truth. A lot of falsehood is being peddled around about me and I need to clear my name," he told this writer.

According to the two-time FIFA World Cup star, staying in the Police cell overnight was a tough experience. 

"I blacked out at a point because of the unbearable heat," he said.

According to a police account of what happened, the player's woes were compounded when according to a Police account,  he punched a police officer while not co-operating with the investigator on the case.

Interesting happenings in the Police Cell.

Inmates temporarily forgot their troubles with the law and expressed their admiration for the player who is one on the national team's most capped players. At a point, an inmate gave out his diary for an autograph from Paintsil which he gladly obliged.

Some also simulated football commentary on seeing the player in the cell.

The scene at the Police Station

Siblings of the footballer had spent the hours in front of the main Police Station building. Later some members of Mrs Richlove Paintsil's family including here mother also were also spotted in the yard with worried looks on their faces.

Richlove's mother, clad in black cloth left the yard in the company of two other ladies in tears. The reason for the tears was not immediately known.

The vehicle in question, an Infiniti SUV was parked in front of the Divisional Headquarters building which is in the same yard as the Police Station. Current and ex-players of the Black Stars came in at various times to show support.

Final Moments at the Police Station.

A little before 7pm on Wednesday, May 25, Paintsil was escorted by a police officer from the cell into the Divisional Headquarters building from to complete bail formalities.

Information gathered by Joy Sports indicates that Paintsil, his wife and the crime officer on duty had a final meeting to ascertain facts about the change of ownership of the vehicle and whether his signature was forged.

During this period, Italy-based Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Lee Addy, close friends, the players personal driver and members of both families were in the car park awaiting the player's release.

Paintsil in the balcony of the East Legon Divisional Headquarters building minutes before his release

Samuel Osei Kuffour who was attending a social function near the police station also arrived at the scene was apparently oblivious to his former play mates predicament. He expressed surprise after he was told about the incident.

"Why didn't anyone call me. I could have been involved in mediating with the police. It's very unfortunate that a domestic issue has escalated to this. It's even more disheartening to know that he spent the night in the police cell. "

Asamoah Gyan arrived at the police station and joined the meeting. Paintsil emerged, after 45 minutes from the Divisional Headquarters building went back to the main police station block and signed his bail form.

History

Mr and Mrs John Paintsil are making the news for the wrong reasons for the second time in 3 years. The first case was a domestic violence issue which also saw the player engage in an altercation with his next-door neighbour in their plush Trassacco Valley address.

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