Ejisu SHTS student, four others remanded for defiling 14-year-old girl

Five people have been remanded into police custody over the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl in the Ashanti Region.

The Nsuta Circuit Court in the Sekyere Central District issued the remand order on Monday (11 May), after the accused pleaded not guilty to defilement charges.

The case was heard by presiding judge His Lordship Simon Nketiah Gagah.

The accused are Anthony Acheampong, 19, also known as “Neymar,” a rickshaw rider; Wiredu Alexander Yeboa, 19, also known as “Fine Boy,” a rickshaw rider; Agyekum Paul, 19, a Form Three student at Ejisu Senior High Technical School and resident of Juaben, also known as “Kujo”; Abeyie Boateng, 18, also known as “Lama,” a rickshaw rider; and Patrick Ofori, 20, an unemployed resident of Juaben.

Prosecutors told the court that the incident occurred on Saturday (9 May), around 6:00 p.m. in Effiduase. According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Charles Vitarshie, the victim was sent by her uncle, the complainant, to collect an item from his shop near Better End Hotel.

The prosecution alleged that the accused approached the victim as she was returning home, forced her into a rickshaw, and transported her to Juaben.

When a room there was found locked, they allegedly drove to Adensuagya, a suburb of Effiduase, where they parked in a secluded area.

Prosecutors said four of the accused restrained the victim while one allegedly had sexual intercourse with her. Three of the accused were also alleged to have assaulted the victim while the fourth looked on.

The prosecution said some of the accused attempted further sexual acts but were resisted.

The victim was later found by a search party organised by her uncle after being abandoned at Nsutem Junction, the court heard. A medical examination was conducted at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Asamang.

Police said the accused were arrested, cautioned statements were taken, and investigations have been completed.

The court remanded the five into police custody and adjourned the case to 22 May, for further proceedings.