A 77-year-old man remanded in police custody for defilement

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Drama unfolded at an Accra Circuit Court on Monday when a 77-year-old retired bank clerk appeared before it for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 14-year-old girl. Amos Asante through his counsel denied the charge and prayed the court to conduct a DNA test on the two month old baby. The court presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa remanded the accused into Police custody to re-appear on October 10. Meanwhile a DNA test is to be conducted on the boy. Mr George Asamani, Counsel for the accused contended that Amos had not defiled the victim, and therefore there was the need to conduct a DNA test to prove their innocence.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah prosecuting said the complainant was a trader residing at Kasoa in the Central Region, and victim's father is related to the wife of the accused. The victim now 14, lives with her grandmother at Asiakwa in the Easter Region while the accused resides at Mallam, Accra. ASP Acquah said the victim had lived with accused and his family for two-and-a-half years.

She said sometime in 2010, accused defiled the victim on three occasions, the last defilement was in December 2010. ASP Acquah told the court that after every sexual act, the accused warned the victim not to tell anyone and she obliged. However, the victim became pregnant and when questioned, mentioned the accused as the person responsible. When the accused was confronted, he denied defiling the victim, who delivered a baby boy on July 12, this year. A report was made to the Police at Odorkor, Accra, and accused was arrested and handed over to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU). After investigations he was charged with the offence.