Pastor, another in court for defilement

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - Two persons including a pastor who allegedly defiled a 15 year-old girl on many occasions on Friday appeared before a Circuit Court in Accra charged with defilement. A medical report issued after her examination indicated that the victim is pregnant.

Richard Ofori Nunoo, a 28 year-old pastor of Wings of Success Ministry, and Ernest Andrews, 39, a cook have pleaded not guilty. The court presided over Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills has remanded them into prison custody to reappear on December 12. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Gbele said on January 30 at about 5:00 pm the victim left home unceremoniously and all efforts to trace here had proved futile.

The prosecution said the victim who had been loitering around met Madam Patience Tackie, a member of Nunoo's church, who took her home at Laterbiokoshie in Accra. Later Nunoo become her friend and she therefore went to his house on request to help him with his house chores. The prosecution said in October, the victim went to stay with Nunoo who defiled her.

The prosecution said the victim got to know Andrews through one Naa Ayeley who was staying with Ms Tackie. ASP Gbele said on November 1, Andrew invited the victim to a house at Afienya and defiled her.

The prosecution said complainant later had information that the victim was staying with Nunoo and he was apprehended and sent to the Police Station at Dansoman who transferred the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The prosecution said while Nunoo was being held for abduction the victim stated that the two accused persons had had a series of sexual intercourse with her.