Man, 24, remanded for abduction and defilement

Kumasi, Nov. 21, GNA - A Kumasi circuit court on Thursday remanded a 24-year-old trader, Gabriel Okyere in prison custody for allegedly abducting and defiling a 15-year-old junior secondary school student. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will re-appear on November 25 for ruling.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Janet Oseiwaah told the court presided over by Mr Adutwum Mmorosah that on October 29, this year, Okyere, who lives in the same area at Mamponteng with the victim, lured her into his room on her way to school under the pretext of showing her something.

On reaching the room, the accused pushed the victim on his bed, stripped her naked and forcibly had sex with her. Chief Inspector Oseiwaah said Okyere after satisfying himself kept the girl in his room for four continuous days before he gave her 5,000 cedis to go home but she refused.

The prosecution said the victim's grandmother with whom she resides became alarmed and informed the girl's mother, who in turn caused an announcement to be made on Garden City Radio (GCR). She said Okyere on hearing the announcement forced the victim to leave his room.

Chief Inspector Oseiwaah said the victim, who had no other option left for her home and on reaching home the grandmother quizzed her as to where she had been and she revealed her ordeal to her. She said her parents therefore made a report to the Mamponteng police, where they were issued with a police medical report form to attend hospital. The prosecution said based on the medical report, the accused was arrested and charged with the offences.