Farmer impregnates 16-year-old stepdaughter

Takoradi, May 13, GNA - A Takoradi Circuit Court on Friday remanded Kwame Essuman, a 35-year-old farmer into prison custody for impregnating his stepdaughter.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before the court on May 25. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Joseph Hedidor told the court presided over by G. Essien-Donkor that the accused was married to one Auntie Adwoa, the complainant and the mother of the victim.

He said the couple had been living with the victim, aged 16, at Asakae, near Takoradi, since they got married.

Inspector Hedidor said sometime in 2004, the complainant suspected that the accused was having sexual relations with his stepchild and summoned him before the elders in the community but he denied the allegation.

The prosecutor said a few months later, the girl was found pregnant and when interrogated, she mentioned her stepfather as being responsible for the pregnancy.

Inspector Hedidor said Essuman and the girl later vanished from the town and it was after the victim had delivered, that the two were found in a cottage and Essuman was consequently arrested.