Third prosecution witness testifies in "Jesus One Touch" case

Accra, April 7, GNA - The farmer who was first informed of the alleged incest committed by Nana Kofi Yirenkyi also known as "Jesus One Touch", Founder and General Overseer of Jesus Blood Ministry, at Oblogo Manchester by the victim on Wednesday mounted the witness box. "Jesus One Touch" is being accused of allegedly defiling his 10-year-old daughter. He has pleaded not guilty to incest and defilement at an Accra Circuit Court and remanded in Police custody. Madam Georgina Larbi, third prosecution witness, admitted knowing the victim and accused person.

She said her sister was the victim's mother and was the one whom the victim first confided the incident.

Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police Sarah Kwafo, Madam Larbi said she and her sister, Bernice Owiredua, as well as the victim, were in a room chatting when the victim told her that she wanted to tell her "something."

Witness said the victim informed her that her father had warned her not tell anybody about the incident else he would whip her with a belt. In the absence of her mother, witness said, the victim told her that on Tuesdays, when everyone in the house had left for church, she was defiled by her father. "Immediately she told me", witness said, she informed her sister, Bernice Owiredua about the victim's story. Madam Larbi said her sister therefore took the victim to the hospital and thereafter lodged a complaint with the Police at Akwapim-Mampong. Witness said later she wrote a statement at the Police station. Answering questions under cross-examination by Mr. K.N. Adomako, defence counsel, witness admitted the victim was staying with the accused in Accra.

Witness said although the victim was closer to her mother, she preferred to disclose the incident to her. When asked how many months it took the victim to disclose the incident to her, witness said it took the victim two months. When the defence counsel suggested to the witness whether she would be surprised to hear that the complainant had told the court that it took the victim three months to disclose the incident, the witness prayed the court to accept her sister's version.

Witness admitted that she did not accompany her sister and the victim to the hospital because she was not well.

Madam Larbi disagreed with counsel that she was compelled by the Police before she offered a statement in respect of the matter. Witness admitted that at every family meeting, she was present but was not aware that accused had on several occasions, tried to take the victim away from her mother at Dawu in the Eastern Region. The prosecution's case was that the victim, who was born out of wedlock, lived with the complainant; Madam Bernice Owiredua Asamaa, until 2005 when she left to live with the accused at McCarthy Hills in Accra to attend school. Prosecution said between 2008-2009; accused started defiling the victim before every church service. In November 2009, the accused granted an opportunity to the victim's mother to talk to her because she was putting up a bad behaviour. It was during the interaction that the victim revealed her ordeal to the complainant. The victim was initially examined by a medical practitioner and later transferred to the Police Hospital for further treatment. Hearing continues on April 13.