Two youth appear before court for defilment

Kumasi, Jan.11, GNA - A Kumasi circuit court on Thursday granted two youth who appeared before it on charges of defilement and abetment of crime bail to re-appear on January 13, 2005.

Emmanuel Owusu, 18, and Lawrence Owusu 14 pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Elizabeth Kesewah told the court, presided over by Mr. Ernest Yaw Obimpeh that Emmanuel, Lawrence and the victim live at the Mfanibu District Assembly Junior Secondary School in the Ahafo Ano North district of Ashanti.

She said on July 15, 2004, the students travelled to play a friendly football match against their Nyameani counterparts. Chief Inspector Kesewa said on the return journey after the match, their vehicle broke down and so the accused persons decided to escort the victim to her village at Apotoyowa Nkwanta at about 1930 hours. She said on the way, Emmanuel requested "something special" from the victim who promised to give them some coconut when they got to her village.

Emmanuel Chief Inspector Kesewa said the accuse told the victim that he was not interested in any coconut but in the "special thing" and consequently pulled her into a nearby cocoa farm, removed her pants and had sex with her, whilst Lawrence kept watch.

After the act she said, Emmanuel warned the girl not to tell her mother and took her home.

Chief Inspector Kesewah said, two weeks later, the victim told her aunt when her mother travelled and so she in turn told the victim's father who was outside the town.

She said the victim's father made a report to the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) and this led to the arrest of the two youth.