84-yr old man granted bail in forced marriage of 17-yr old

The gender-based violence Circuit Court, has admitted an 84-year-old man to

GHc 80,000 bail with two sureties, one to be justified for compulsion of marriage.

The accused, Mallem Gado, pleaded not guilty to forcing his 17-year-old Senior High School student into marriage.

Mallam Gado, who appeared before the court presided over by Rita Budu Agyemang, was charged with attempt to commit a crime of compulsion of marriage.

He told the court he can only assume responsibility for the victim and her education if she consents to the arranged marriage.

The victim is a student of Cosmos Senior High School at Abeka Lapaz in Accra, while the accused person is a private security guard at Pokuase near Accra.

The prosecutor, detective inspector Kofi Atimbire, told the court the student lives with the accused and her mother, Barikisu Gado, who are her biological parents at Pokuase.

The prosecutor said the accused was arrested on July 29, this year after giving his daughter to a marriage under duress. Mallam Gado admitted during investigations, he had indeed collected money from one Yakubu in order to marry his daughter.

The prosecutor said Mallam gado however refused to give more details about the said Yakubu but insisted nothing would stop him from marrying his daughter.

Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire, said the mother of the victim said she had no objection to the husband's choice. Hearing has been adjourned to August 24, 2015.