Alleged 'public rapist' pleads “not guilty”

Eric Adjei Bawuah, the man alleged to have raped a 19-year-old apprentice seamstress in the full glare of bystanders at a drinking spot in Kumasi, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and robbery.

On his second appearance in court Wednesday, Bawuah denied raping the alleged victim, following which the court adjourned to Thursday to enable him open his defence.

Bawuah, described by the police as a heavily built man and a gym instructor, was alleged to have forcibly had sex with the victim who was on her way to board a vehicle bound for Accra where she is learning her trade.

He was also said to have threatened to deal with anyone who intervened, claiming then that the victim was a sex worker who had taken money from him for the service.