Three suspects were initially arrested and are facing a Juvenile court after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Dhv79ezTjP7rs44HaYX2LejY9jVC7tjx”]The Police confirmed the three arrests, stating that the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

Lawyer for the suspects, John Boamah, revealed to Citi News, that a fourth person had been detained by the police in connection with the incident.

“Someone else has also been arrested and that person is also duly represented, he has legal representation.”

He also confirmed that the four suspects had been taken back into police custody after making an appearance before the Juvenile Court, which was held in-camera, and will reappear on January 17.

“The whole fact of the matter is that, as it is in the domain of the media, that the police needed time for further investigations. Nothing much happened today. The juveniles have been taken back to the Juvenile cells to come back next week. We are waiting for the prosecution, whatever information they have for us. The media houses are saying that there is an alleged rape, the police might also think otherwise so let’s wait,” he said.

‘Flog suspects’

The Member of Parliament for Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Patricia Appiagyei, sparked a public debate when she called for the three boys arrested in connection with the alleged assault to be flogged publicly as punishment.

She believes that sentencing the boys to serve time in jail would not rehabilitate them, adding that the humiliation that comes with being publicly caned would deter others better than a prison term.

“I don’t think prison will change them. It even hardens them because we don’t have the kind of atmosphere where people can really reflect, and then show remorse for what they have done…but when you are publicly punished I believe that will make you better…I believe [flogging] them will help,” the MP is quoted as having said by Accra-based Starr FM.

The legislator also said the suspects must have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol to have committed the alleged assault.

She blamed a lack of “parental care” for the boys’ alleged actions, suggesting that they should have been advised against certain activities and influences.

“The things that could have urged the young ones to indulge in this kind of sodomy as I call it, is either they were under the influence of alcohol or were on drugs,” she added.

“But like I said, they are showing their wild edge, they have started having feelings and therefore were examining their feelings and directed it [there] because they don’t have the right parental care to tell them that there are certain things that we don’t do in our society.”

Care for the victim

Citi News sources say the victim is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the victim is cooperating with the Police in its investigation into the matter.

Three other alleged accomplices in the act are still at large.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi & Minna Dablu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post One more suspect arrested in Bantama sexual assault case appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, which has vowed to pursue the matter and ensure justice is served.

The Police is however not ready to reveal the ages of the teenagers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BxKBwfEj3X76YgE2ACLQPw7Nr6QkpCcu”]The Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Juliana Obeng, at a media briefing on the incident today [Monday], said the police had identified 4 accomplices who are currently at large.

“The command has arrested 3 suspects. The arrest of these suspects was made on Saturday, 16^th December 2017 at their various homes at Bantama. The three suspects and their 4 accomplices who are currently at large are all students….Two of the 3 arrested are in SHS 1 and the other in JHS 3,” she said.

Many Ghanaians are enraged over a recent viral video in which about seven young boys, were seen forcibly having sex with the teenager.

In the video which has been in circulation on social media, the young boys were seen taking turns to sexually assault the helpless teenager.

Citi News gathered that the incident occurred at Bantama in the Ashanti Regional capital.

Various civil society groups have already condemned the incident, and called on the police to take immediate action against the suspects.

ASP Juliana Obeng told the media that “all three suspects are currently in police custody assisting in police investigations, while efforts are being made to arrest the other 4.”

When did the incident happen?

The Police’s revelation that it carried out the arrest on Saturday, nearly two days before the video was circulated on social media, seems to suggest that the Police had gotten wind of the crime but had shielded it from public attention.

It therefore remains unclear when the actual incident happened.

Care for the victim

Citi News sources say the victim is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the victim is cooperating with the Police in its investigation into the matter.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bantama gang-rape suspects JHS 3, SHS 1 students – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.