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Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Source: GNA

Incest case- Pastor secures lawyer

The case in which Pastor Ebenezer Asare Kumi, Head Pastor of Grace Powerhouse Ministries defiled his 12-year-old daughter was on Wednesday adjourned to February 5.

This was after Mr Stephen Bekoe, counsel for Pastor Kumi had prayed the court to assist him secure the proceedings of the court.

The court presided over by Ms Ellen Amoah asked defence counsel to apply to the court registrar for the proceedings.

The Pastor is alleged to have defiled his daughter while his wife was on admission to deliver their last child.

Charged with incest and defilement, Pastor Kumi who is on remand has pleaded not guilty.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah had earlier told the court that the complainant was the victim’s mother, aged 35.

The couple, the prosecution said, had been married for 14 years, reside at Asofan, near Ofankor in Accra and they have three children.

The prosecutor said last year, the victim’s mother was admitted at the Ridge Hospital for about three weeks when she was about to deliver her last baby.

According to the prosecutor, the accused person lived with the children including the victim in the same house.

However, one night, according to ASP Acquah, the accused person went into the children's room, fondled the victim and had sex with her.

Prosecution said after the act, Pastor Kumi threatened his daughter not to tell anyone else she will die.

The victim, for fear of her life kept the ordeal to herself although she had begun limping.

In December last year, the victim's mother noticed that the victim could not walk properly and therefore took her to the Ridge Hospital for examination and treatment.

After the examination, prosecution said it came out that the victim had been defiled.

During interrogation, the victim disclosed that it was her father who had sex with her.

The complainant then reported the matter to the Police at Sowutuom in Accra. Later, the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit (DOVVSU).

Prosecution said when Pastor Kumi was arrested, he denied the offence.