You are here: HomeNews2001 12 15Article 20546

General News of Saturday, 15 December 2001

Source: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

Two traders rape seamstress

...and pour sand into her genitals

Two traders who allegedly conspired and forcibly had sex with a 35-year old seamstress and later spread her thighs for a photographer to take a picture of her genitals are to face the law.

As if that was not enough, the two allegedly poured sand into her vagina.

One of the perpetrators, Ebenezer Ayittey, has been arraigned before a Ho high court for jointly committing the act with Ishmailla Kasim, who is on the run.

Ayittey pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit, rape and gross indecency before the court presided over by His Lordship, Mr Justice Paul Gyaesaeyor, Supervising High Court Judge.

Prosecuting, Ms Patience Klinogo, Principal State Attorney at Ho said on July 27, 1998, Kasim who is the first accused, invited the seamstress to his room to watch video.

She said the seamstress was the former girlfriend of Ayittey and so although the relationship had broken down, she was still friendly with Kasim who was Ayittey’s friend and therefore accepted the invitation.

The prosecutor said upon entering the room, Kasim locked the door against the wish of the seamstress. She said Kasim ignored the complaints of the seamstress and started beating her and consequently dragged her to bed and forcibly had sex with her.

Ms Klinogo told the court that Kasim prevented the cry for help from the seamstress being heard by switching on the radio very loudly, adding that after satisfying himself, Kasim invited Ayitey to also have sex with the seamstress.

She said after the ordeal the two dragged the victim out of the room into the compound of the house and forced her thighs open and then instructed a photographer to take a picture of her genitals.

The prosecutor said Kasim and Ayittey later poured sand into the genitals of the seamstress and incited the public to hoot at her and also to call her a prostitute.

The victim, she said, reported her ordeal to the police and she was given a medical form to go for medical examination and treatment.

Ms Klinogo said a medical report revealed that there were some amount of sperms and a quantity of sand in her vagina.

She said Kasim and Ayittey were arrested but the photographer escaped, adding that Kasim broke jail and escaped while in police custody.