Chief Fined For Impregnating Junior Secondary School Girl

Kpando (Volta Region) 24 Sept., A Kpando circuit court has ordered a 60-year-old chief to pay 1.4 million cedis to a 14-year-old junior secondary school girl he impregnated. The court, presided over by Mr Robin Batu, directed that 700,000 cedis of the amount should be invested in an interest yielding bank account in the name of the girl till she is 18 years. The court also awarded a 700,000-cedi costs against Togbe Leo Kumah the second, chief of Kokro-Buta, near Kpando, who is the defendant. Out of this, 250,000 cedis is to be used for the upkeep and medical bills of the girl who is six months pregnant. The court's order follows a suit filed by Mr Moses Atta Dedu, father of the girl, against Togbe Kumah on July 30, this year, claiming three million cedis on the grounds that the defendant has ruined his daughter's education. The plaintiff also sought the court's order to compel Togbe Kumah to take responsibility for the pregnancy including feeding and medical bills. Togbe Kumah admitted responsibility for the pregnancy and claimed that he had sent drinks to the girl's father to perform the customary rites to ''legalise'' the marriage.