Impotent man in court for defilement

Accra, Feb. 3, GNA - Drama unfolded at an Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday when a 52-year-old tailor, said to gave been medically diagnosed as impotent, was arraigned for defilement.

Kwaku Ahadame is said to have defiled a 12-year-old girl at Newtown in Accra. Ahadame pleaded not guilty to the charge and the court remanded him into prison custody to re-appear on February 11. Pleading for bail, Mr Owusu Sekyere, counsel for the accused person, contended that his client, who he said, was 70 years old, had been diagnosed by a medical doctor as impotent and wondered how he could defile the victim.

"We have been to the Police Hospital and we have been examined and the results prove that my client is impotent."

He therefore prayed the court to admit Ahadame to bail since the facts emphasized "sexual intercourse".

But the prosecution contended that the law took cognizance of the "least penetration" pointing out that once the accused had a penis he could defile the victim.

The court, presided over Mr C.A. Wilson pointed out that it could be that the accused used his penis to "brush" the victim.

This sent the audience in the court laughing.

The court noted that it was too early to grant bail or discharge the accused based on the assertion of defence counsel and asked counsel to furnish the court with the medical report for the trial to commence. According to the judge the case would be heard daily.

The prosecution has it that the victim lives with her parents in Accra, while accused, who is also a watchman, resides in the same area with the victim.

The prosecutor said on January 24, this year, the victim went to sell plantain chips and saw the accused standing in front of his door. According to the prosecution Ahadame purchased three sachets at 60 pesewas and told the victim to return later for her money because he had no coins.

When the victim returned at about 1830 hours to collect the money the accused lured her into his room and defiled her. After the defilement, the accused locked the victim in his room and stood at the door.

Later one of the victim's sisters who was looking for her shouted out her name and she responded from Ahadame's room. When the victim's sisters who were then in the neighbourhood, quizzed Ahadame, he denied that there was someone in his room.

The prosecution said the victim later emerged from the room and she was escorted home and a complaint was lodged with the Police.