Businessman jailed for defilement

An Accra Circuit Court has handed down a 15- year jail term on Eric Henry Kwofie, a businessman who had sex with a 13 year- old girl after offering her coca cola to drink.

Kwofie aka Pasco aged 48, who had sex with the victim twice at Asylum Down in Accra, pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement, but was found guilty after the trial.

The court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku therefore convicted Kwofie accordingly.

Prosecuting Detective Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant is a trader residing at Adabraka with the victim, a class six pupil.

According to Inspector Atimbire, Kwofie also resides in the same area with the complainant and victim.

Prosecution said in July this year at about 7:30 pm, Kwofie approached the victim and persuaded her to accompany him and another co-tenant to his (Kowfie)’s work place at Circle.

The prosecutor said when the victim sat in Kwofie’s car, Kwofie gave the victim coca cola to drink and she did not know what happened to her or where she was sent to.

Inspector Atimbire said when the victim woke up, she noticed that she was returning home with the convict at about 9:00pm.

The convict gave her GH?20.00 and dropped her in the area.

The following day the victim complained to her grandmother of abdominal pains. The victims’ grandmother attributed the pain to the victim’s menstrual cycle.

Prosecution indicated that a week later, Kwofie lured the victim to the Time Square Lodge at Asylum Down and had sexual intercourse with her and warned her not tell anyone.

Inspector Atimbire said after the act Kwofie gave the victim GH? 20 again.

Later prosecution said the complainant noticed some changes in the victim and contacted another Aunt of the victim to quiz her over the changes.

Prosecution said the complainant conducted a pregnancy test on the victim and it tested positive. The victim then mentioned Kwofie as the one responsible.

The complainant reported the matter to the Police and Kwofie was arrested by the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit, Accra.

Kwofie admitted the offence after the victim was issued with a medical form so she could be examined.