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06.01.2006 Crime & Punishment

Farmer charged with abduction and defilement

06.01.2006 LISTEN
By GNA

Tepa (Ash), Jan 6, GNA - James Haruna, a farmer at Dumpo cottage near Asuhyiae in the Ahafo-Ano North District, on Thursday appeared before the Tepa circuit court for abducting and defiling a 14-year-old student.

He pleaded not guilty to the two counts and was granted bail in the sum of 50 million cedis with one surety to justify and is to re-appear on January 19.

Police Inspector Frank Asante told the court presided over by Mr Sam Alomatu that the complainant, Mr Iddrisu, is the father of the victim and live in the same cottage with Haruna at Dumpo where he engaged the accused to teach his children on part-time basis. The prosecution said on Tuesday, November 01 last year, after teaching the victim, he asked her to see him off.

He said some people saw Haruna conversing with the victim behind his house so the following day when the complainant could not find his daughter, he went to Haruna's house but the accused was not in the house.

Three days later, Haruna appeared at the cottage and when the complainant confronted him, he denied seeing the victim. The complainant caused a radio announcement to be made about his missing daughter and later on reported the case to the Manfo police who arrested the accused.

He said on November 17, the victim was brought back to the cottage by her grandfather named Awuni who stays at Jema near Nkoranza in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The girl narrated her ordeal at the hands, saying Haruna sexually assaulted her at the Dumpo cottage before taking her to Acherensua, later on travelled with her to Techiman and Jema where the grandmother was.

The prosecution said at Jema, the victim reported her ordeal to a woman who brought her to Techiman.

He said a medical form was issued to the victim to be taken to hospital and based upon the medical report the accused was re-arrested and charged with the offence.

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