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The Adentan Circuit Court has sentenced a 39-year-old cleaner, Ishmael Nyave, to 20 years imprisonment for the defilement of a 13-year-old girl in Ashongman, Accra. Nyave, who pleaded guilty to the charge, has been convicted on his own plea by the court presided over by Sedinam Awo Balokah.
In a case that has shocked the community, the court also mandated the Social Welfare Department at Abokobi to closely monitor the victim’s family for a 12-month probation period. Additionally, the court ordered that GHC4,000, previously surrendered by Nyave to the Police, be given to the victim’s father to assist in her care.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector A Fosu, revealed that the victim, a Junior High School student, was lured to Nyave’s house and sexually assaulted. The crime came to light when the victim, initially too scared to speak out, discovered she was pregnant and confided in her elder sister and grandmother. This led to Nyave’s arrest, where he admitted to the offense in his cautioned statement.
A medical examination confirmed the victim’s pregnancy at six weeks and two days. The case has highlighted the ongoing challenges of sexual violence against minors in Ghana and raised questions about the safety of children in their own communities.
The ruling has been seen as a significant step in the fight against child sexual abuse in the country, setting a precedent for severe penalties for such crimes. The court’s decision is a reminder of the legal system’s role in protecting vulnerable members of society and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
