Accra, April 12, GNA - A driver's mate, who allegedly stole a 10-year-old girl, kept her for eight months and re-named the victim afterwards appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday. Daniel Sosu, charged with child stealing, pleaded not guilty and the court admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢8,000 with one surety after being on remand for three weeks.

Sosu who was without any legal representation is to reappear on April 19. Police Inspector I. A. A. Ahor, the prosecutor, said the victim lived with her father at Old Fadama, in Accra.

The prosecution said on July 28, 2010, the victim left the house and she did not return.

The victim's father after a fruitless search for his daughter reported the matter to the Police and various announcements were on made on radio.

Inspector Ahor said on March 27, 2011, the complainant upon receiving information on his daughter traced her to a house at Matehako in Accra.

The prosecution said on reaching the house the victim was under the care of one Afia Ramsey, who mentioned Sosu as the father of the victim.

"The complainant took her daughter and reported the matter to the Police and Sosu was arrested," Inspector Ahor said. The prosecution said during interrogation, Sosu told the Police that in August this year, he found the victim loitering around Abossey Okai and he took her to his house and changed her name to Vida Sosu. Inspector Ahor said the victim has since united with her father.