Labourer remanded in custody for rape

Sunyani (B/A), May 17, GNA - Mohammed Salifu, 32-year-old farm labourer at Nante, near Kintampo in Brong-Ahafo was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody by the Sunyani Magistrate's Court 'A' for allegedly raping a 21-year-old student.

The plea of the suspect was not taken but the court, presided over by Mr. Joseph Robert Quanson, acting on a request by the prosecution remanded Salifu in prison custody to re-appear on June 14, this year. The suspect's remand would enable the Women's and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) in Sunyani to conduct further investigations into the case. Giving the facts of the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alex Yartey-Tawiah told the court that the victim was staying with her parents at Nante where the suspect also lived.

The prosecution said in the morning of May 7, this year, whilst on her way to the farm, the complainant saw the suspect who beckoned her to come to him but she ignored him.

The complainant sensing danger doubled up but Salifu followed and caught up with her, pushed her to the ground, tore her pants and forcibly had sex with her.

DSP Yartey-Tawiah said while Salifu was in the act the complainant kept on shouting and crying for help and some women who heard her cries for help rushed to the scene and met Salifu busily in the act. Apparently afraid to go near to the scene, the prosecution said, the women rushed to a nearby village to inform some men who came and arrested him.

They sent him to Kintampo police station where a report was made and the case was subsequently transferred to WAJU in Sunyani and during interrogation Salifu admitted the offence.