Togolese trader remanded for allegedly causing harm

A 29-year-old Togolese trader, who allegedly burnt a six-year-old girl with a hot iron after accusing her of being possessed with evil spirit was on Friday remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Jennifer Mensah charged with causing harm, pleaded not guilty.

She is expected to reappear before the court presided over by Miss Sedina Agbemava on February 21.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah told the court that on February 16, this year in the morning, the Odorkor Police District Command received information from an unknown caller, saying that Jennifer had locked up the victim for the past two weeks after subjecting her to severe beatings with a hot iron bar.

The Police, therefore, moved to the spot behind Kpogas Furniture Shop at Odorkor and found Comfort Maa Mary Tetteh, the victim in a room with marks of violence all over the body and her private part.

ASP Acquah said the Police immediately arrested Jennifer and rushed the victim to the Police Hospital where she was admitted.

She said investigations revealed that the victim’s parents live at Okushiebviadey, a village near Amasama, brought her to Jennifer seven months ago but they had not bothered to return and seek her welfare.

Based on that ASP Acquah said the accused had always been attacking and beating the victim at the least provocation claiming that the victim was possessed with evil spirit.

She said the victim had multiple wounds all over her body.