Damage of hymen cannot be through sex - Gynaecologist

Accra, April 26, GNA - A gynaecologist at the Ghana Police Hospital on Monday said damage to the hymen of the 10-year-old daughter of Nana Kofi Yirenkyi aka "Jesus One Touch" could not be caused only through sexual act. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Samuel Amu-Mensah, the gynaecologist said the object that could cause damage to the hymen could be the last finger of an adult.

According to him when the victim was examined the size of the vulva was 10 millimetres therefore; the object which could have caused the damage could be the last finger of an adult.

He said if damage to the hymen was even caused through sex, the size of the penis could be an under-sized one or that of another child. Dr. Amu-Mensah the second medical officer who examined the victim for the second time, made this known when testifying in the case, which Nana Yirenkyi, Founder and General Overseer of Jesus Blood Ministry International, at Oblogo Manchester, had been accused of defiling his daughter.

Accused, who has pleaded not guilty to incest and defilement, had been remanded in Police custody.

The medical officer told the Circuit Court that in his finding, he observed that the damaged hymen had been healed. Evidence of the medical officer attracted applause from the audience who had thronged the court. The jubilation was escalated at the close of court session, when sympathisers of the accused poured talcum powder on themselves amidst singing and dancing.

However, the accused who was escorted in a Police jeep covered his face with a handkerchief amidst tears.

Answering questions under cross examination, Police Detective Lance Corporal Ransford Odei-Djaba, the main investigator in the case admitted that the victim was a truant and her conduct sometimes run through the week. Lance Corporal Odei-Djaba agreed with defence counsel, Mr K.N. Adomako-Acheampong that some times on Tuesdays, the victim attends school. When asked why he sought second medical opinion, the investigator said he was instructed by his superior to do so.

He disagreed with defence counsel that the victim did not break the alleged sexual conduct of the accused to Georgina Larbi, third prosecution witness and it was rather Janet Akosua Insaba who did so. When asked how he managed to obtained the list of prosecution witnesses, he said it was obtained from the Police at Akropong-Akwapim. Meanwhile, the prosecution had closed its case, and the defence had declared its intention to file a submission of no case. 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 and 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 doctor and later transferred to the Police Hospital for further treatment. Hearing continues on Tuesday, May 4.