A Lotto writer who defiled two teenagers, contrary to Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 554) has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The accused, 23 year-old Bright Aguadze aka Poozo who is also a farmer defiled the two girls in his room in December 2020 and threatened to kill them.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges (2 counts of defilement) when he was arraigned in 2021 before the court. After full trial, the court presided over by his lordship Isaac Addo found him guilty and sentenced him to serve a prison term of 10 years on each count to run consecutively.
He was sentenced last Friday, April 22, 2022.
Presenting the facts in court, the Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Paul Aidoo Dwumah noted that the accused lived at Monome-Ativiakope near Akatsi together with the two victims. The two victims were both students of Monome D/A Basic School and very close friends who were always together.
The first victim, Enam (not her real name) is a direct sister of another lady who has a son with the accused.
Thus, the accused defiled his sister-in-law and her friend; the second victim, Etor (not her real name).
Ch/Inspt. Dwumah explained that the accused, Bright Pooza had unlawful carnal knowledge of the two victims in turns in his room during the basic school vacation in December 2020.
He said since the accused had some relationship with the first victim’s sister, the two victims used to run errands for him and sometimes went to his place to watch television.
During one of such visits by the victims to watch television in December 2020, the accused led them into his sitting room. While they were watching, he entered the next room which is the bedroom and called the first victim, to come there.
When she obliged, he asked her to call the second victim, to join them. Accused then switched on his smart phone for them to continue watching a movie on it.
Noticing how glued the victims were on the phone, the accused secretly went to lock the door, removed the key and defiled them.
He threatened to kill them should they tell anyone about the sexual abuse.
The second victim said she became fed up as anytime she saw the accused it offended and enraged her.
So in May 2021 she revealed the secret to the first victim’s sister who is the mother of the accused’s son. The first victim’s sister informed their mother who confirmed the incident from the confession of the two victims.
Their mother immediately reported the matter to the eldest daughter working in Accra. She came to town and led the victims to the Akatsi Police Station to report the case which led to the arrest of the accused.
Victims were issued Police medical forms to be sent to the hospital for examination and treatment. The medical form which was duly endorsed by medical officer was submitted. Caution statement was taken from the accused and was charged after investigation.
From Fred Duodu, Sogakope (k.duodu@yahoo.com)