Pensioner, 3 Others Held For Defilement

Four persons, including a 67-year-old pensioner, have been hauled before court for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl at Nungua in Accra. Ben Ahiakpor and his accomplices � Jeremiah Yartey, a 22- year- old student; Obed Yartey, a 30-year-old graphic designer, both siblings; and Jonathan Savor, a labourer � have been charged with defilement. The four have denied the offence, and have been remanded into prison custody to reappear on March 5. Meanwhile, the court, presided over by Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah, has ordered the police to ascertain the age of the victim at the Department of Radiology of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The victim is said to be receiving treatment at a medical facility in Accra. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah said the complainant, Zumgbe Kudjo, lives in the same vicinity with the victim. The four accused persons also reside in the same vicinity. During the year 2013, the victim was brought from Ada by her grandmother to live with Savor�s mother. During the same year, Jeremiah and Obed, both siblings, had sex with the victim on different occasions. Savor also had sex with the victim a number of times. During the same period, Ahiakpor also enticed the victim with money and had sex with her five times. ASP Acquah said the victim became pregnant and Jeremiah made attempts to abort the pregnancy but to no avail. The victim fell sick and confided in the complainant�s daughter about her ordeal. Prosecution said the complainant on hearing the victim�s story sent her to the La General Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the complainant was advised to alert the police, who apprehended the four accused persons. Apart from Ahiakpor, who denied the offence, the rest have admitted the offence.