Two friends who under the pretext of providing humanitarian assistance to a stranded 14-year old girl allegedly ended up sexually abusing her at different times are now in the firm grips of the law.
Benjamin Denteh, driver’s mate, and Frank Appiah, alias “Lotto Agent”, have appeared before a Kumasi Circuit, charged with defilement.
Denteh pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered by the court presided over by Mr Justice Richard Mac Kogyapwah to be kept in prison custody for 10 years.
Appiah, however, profusely denied the crime and was remanded to re-appear on Friday, June 17.
Police Chief Inspector James Amekah told the court that the complainant in the case is the uncle of the victim, a primary five pupil who lives with him at Agric-Akyeremade, Kumasi.
The accused on the other hand reside at Ash-Town but work at the Kajetia Lorry Terminal.
On Sunday, May 22, the young girl was sent to sell sachet water and whilst waiting at the Akyeramade station at the terminal to board “trotro” back home at about 2100 hours, Appiah appeared and offered to help provide her with accommodation because it was getting “too late”.
He instead handed her over to Denteh, who took her to his house, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and gave her GH¢5.00, the following morning.
The prosecution said three days later, Denteh again met the victim, tricked her to accompany him to the house and for two days running, detained and subjected her to rounds of sex.
Just at the time he decided to free her, Appiah visited and succeeded in luring her to a hotel at Asafo Neoplan Station and forcibly had sex with her.
Afraid that she might be punished when she returned to the house after her three days absence, the victim decided to go to an elder sister at Tepa and there she told her of her ordeal.
The prosecution said a formal report was therefore made to the police and the two were arrested.
Medical report signed by doctors who treated her confirmed that she had indeed been defiled.
Justice Kogyapwah condemned Denteh’s behavior as appalling and said he deserved punishment.