His accomplice, 60-year-old Shani Iddrisu, who is unemployed, has however been granted bail.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4e131jdu7hdjuyq5HBjvJAbajrN41rhq”]Alhassan Mahamud was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime contrary to section 23 of the criminal offences Act 1960 (Act 29), and defilement of a female under age 16, contrary to section 101 of the criminal offences Act, 1960.

Alhassan Mahamud pleaded guilty on the two counts, and was convicted on his own plea, and was duly sentenced by the Yendi Circuit Court Judge, William Appiah Twumasi.

Narrating the incident to the court, the persecutor Sgt. Nichodamus Yorke, said the victim, aged, 12 years, and a  primary six pupil, sells cassava flour (konkonte) for her grandmother after school.

On 24th February 2018, the victim was on her usual route when she came across the accused at his work place.

The accused proposed love to the victim and promised to take her as his second wife.

He then lured her into his friend, Shani Iddrisu’s room and forcibly removed her pants and had sexual intercourse with her. He gave her GHS 2.00 subsequently.

Shani Iddrisu, who met them in the act, also showed interest, and went out and later came in to have his turn with the victim, after Alhassan Mahamud had sexually abused the victim.

An eyewitness later reported the case to the victim’s uncle who later questioned the victim, and she narrated her ordeal.

The victim’s uncle later reported the case to the police, and the accused persons were arrested.

A Police medical report form was issued to the victim for treatment. The accused persons admitted the offence in their caution statements.

Meanwhile, Shani Iddrisu later pleaded not guilty and is currently on bail on health grounds.

The judge, William Appiah Twumasi, ordered that he attends hospital and produce evidence.

Shani Iddrisu is to reappear on the 12 of April 2018.

–

Mohammed Aminu M Alabira/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The A-G has therefore requested for the docket and directed that the matter be heard at the Tarkwa High court.

The accused, Sai Yeluri, 28, had earlier pleaded guilty with explanation to the offense and the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew granted him bail in the sum of 40,000 Ghana cedis with two sureties.

He was also asked to hand over his passport to the registrar of the court.

Prosecuting earlier, Chief Inspector Faustina Celestina Anaman, told the court that, on January 1, this year, at about 1500 hours, the victim’s mother, Francisca Mensah, a businesswoman at Tamso went to the Nsuta swimming poolside of the Ghana Manganese Company with her daughter to have fun.

She said the accused, who is not a staff of Ghana Manganese Company, Nsuta and his friend Karthik were also enjoying themselves at the pool side.

She said the accused and his friend then went for the victim and another girl and offered to teach them how to swim.

Chief Inspector Anaman explained that while Sai and his friend were swimming in the pool with the girls, Francisca decided to video them and later went for the victim and returned home.

The Prosecution said the next day when the complainant watched the video, she noticed that the accused had inserted his finger into the victim’s vagina.

She said Francisca informed the Nsuta Police and a medical report form was issued to the victim.

Dr Joseph Darko of Apinto government hospital examined the victim and endorsed the medical form which was returned to the police on the same day.

The Prosecution said all efforts made by the police to download the video from the complainant’s phone failed.

On January 5, Chief inspector Anaman said the accused was arrested but he denied the offense.

–

Source: GNA

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The victim’s mother suspects attempts by the police to cover up the matter.

How did it happen?

It all started when two Indian nationals swimming in the pool asked to teach the children how to swim. The mother, [who we’ll refer to as Afiba] of the children initially hesitated, but she agreed after the strangers convinced her that learning to swim early was the best way.

While the Indians supposedly taught her daughter how to swim, she filmed the process with her smartphone.

‘Little girl cries’

In between the session, the woman noticed her daughter was crying, but she misinterpreted it as a reaction to the fear of being in the pool.

Unawares to her, the Indian, was sexually abusing her, and the cries, were cries for help.

One of the Indians held the 3-year-old girl closely to his chest with his right hand while inserting a left finger into the little girl’s vagina.

The doctor who conducted medical examinations on the 3-year-old girl said her genitals were bruised.

“She had sores around her genitals, around the vagina and the hymen had sores around it,” the doctor said.

Of the psychological state of the girl and Afiba, he said they were traumatized.

‘Police case’

The Afiba returned to the Tarkwa Police after an initial report to them with the medical report.

She also hired a private detective to help track down the Indian molester who she had captured in a video on her phone.

Her attempts to get the Tarkwa Police to follow up on the issue proved futile, forcing her to fall on the Nsuta Police to effect his arrest.

Her confidence in the police began to shrink after their suspicious conduct with the bosses of the Indian suspect.

‘Out of court settlement’

According to the woman, who spoke to Citi News’ Caleb Kudah, in the course of pursuing the matter, the Indian suspect sought an out of court settlement but soon changed his mind, saying he was ready to face the court.

‘Don’t jail him’

To further hurt her heart, Afiba lamented how the police prosecutor impressed on the judge that presided over the matter in court to fine the suspect rather than to jail him.

She said she was forced to bitterly watch the police negotiate the compensation from an initial GHS8,400 suggested by the judge, to GHS4,200.

‘Seeking justice’

Afiba is seeking justice for her 3-year-old daughter whose genitals have been bruised by an Indian national, and betrayed by law enforcement body in her own country to sell her daughter’s rights for GHS4,200.

Click below to listen to Caleb Kudah’s full report.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The suspect, Rabih Haddad, 39, who took ill in December, has been on admission at the Police Hospital, but in the custody of police, because he remains on remand.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ps3s0xKV9Q09MDgNfzq2TkI4k9OE9jYf”]Lawyers for the suspect filed the bail application citing health concerns.

The accused person’s wife wept in court at the last hearing, after the hearing of the bail application for her husband was adjourned again, as the State Attorney handling the case  was absent due to ill-health.

Rabih Haddad’s Lawyer, Ralph Opoku Adusei, expressed displeasure with the adjournment on Monday, arguing that his client’s application could be heard with or without the presence of the State Attorney.

The family of the Lebanese say they are going through tough times,  because they have been evicted from their home and are currently staying with friends, according to the Lawyer.

Rabih Haddad was arrested in December 2017 for the alleged rape at his home at  the plush Airport Hills residential area.

He has since been in the custody of the police with his lawyer attempting to secure bail for him.

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In the past, the victim could be forced to marry the rapist and the families would support such a resolution to hide the shame attached to rape.

Rapists now stand to face at least 30 years in prison.

Somaliland’s speaker of parliament, Bashe Mohamed Farah, told the BBC that rape cases have risen and he hoped the new law would help stop that trend.

“Nowadays we have seen even people carrying out gang rapes,” he said.

“The main emphasis of the new act is to completely stop rape.

The new law has come in after years of lobbying by children and women’s rights advocates.

Faisa Ali Yusuf of the Women’s Agenda Forum told the BBC they’ve been waiting for such legislation for a very long time.

The BBC’s Anne Soy explains that this comes within the context of the self-declared republic being keen to be seen internationally as a viable democracy with functioning institutions.

It declared itself independent from the rest of Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as a country.

Our correspondent says there is still no law against rape in Somalia.

–

Source: BBC

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This means her husband will remain at the Police Hospital, where he was admitted after he fell ill following his arrest.

[contextly_sidebar id=”51yfA4Pmw8CXElGk6cLPFjdVHasGoH8w”]The police are unable to discharge him from the Hospital, as he remains on remand.

His wife broke down uncontrollably after it was announced that the court was unable to hear the bail application due to the absence of the State Attorney handling the case due to ill-health.

The unhappy wife demanded to know whether the case will be heard tomorrow [Tuesday].

Lawyer for the accused, Ralph Opoku Adusei, expressed his displeasure with the proceedings, arguing that his client’s application could be heard with or without the presence of the State Attorney.

He also told the court that, the family of the Lebanese have been evicted from their home, and are having a hard time, as they are forced to put up with friends.

The Lebanese, Hadad Rabih, was arrested in December 2017, for allegedly raping the nineteen-year-old house-help in his home at Airport Hills.

He has since been in the custody of the police with his lawyers attempting to secure bail for him.  The case has been adjourned to tomorrow [Tuesday], where the bail application is expected to be moved.

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the lawyers, led by Ralph Opoku Adusei, their client had an alibi who could verify his whereabouts on the day the incident.

[contextly_sidebar id=”tgpTrsOcATQ3I3ylDzItAOQ3fwUQNBvE”]Mr. Adusei made this revelation during a court proceeding where they sought to secure bail for their client.

Per the facts, as presented by the prosecution, the 19-year-old house help was employed by Haddad and his wife in November 2017.

According to them, since she moved into the house, Haddad had been pestering her for sex.

They claimed that Haddad had lured the house help into one of the bedrooms and tried having sexual intercourse with her when his wife and other occupants of the house had gone out.

Her attempts to resist his advances reportedly infuriated Haddad, who slapped her and then struck her neck after which he dragged her to the bed and forcibly had sex with her.

Alleged victim speaks

The alleged victim, who speaks only Ewe and French, said the suspect beat her after his apparent displeasure with the coffee she had prepared for him.

According to the victim, who spoke to Citi News at the police station, he then dragged her to a bedroom and raped her.

She added that, he slapped her twice in her face before finally overpowering her.

Former AG to serve as victim’s lawyer

Ghana’s former Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, stepped in to represent the alleged victim.

Mrs. Appiah-Oppong told Citi News she was keenly following the case, and expressed some satisfaction with the course of the investigations so far, and said she will ensure justice is served.

“We are fortunate to have caught this one early so that the investigation can be done properly. Very often, by the time we become aware of a situation like this, time has elapsed, evidence is lost and it becomes very difficult to follow up on it. That is why we are very keen to follow up on this one to make sure that the proper investigation and proper prosecution is also done,” Mrs. Appiah-Oppong said.

The police administration has said they will put forward a strong case to ensure justice is served.

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The girls they raped between 2013 and 2016 were aged between eight months and 12 years old.

The men’s alleged leader was a local MP called Frederic Batumike. He is one of those who was jailed.

Local campaigners hailed the verdict against the men as a sign that impunity for sexual violence was ending.

“It’s a strong signal to anyone who would contemplate this kind of offence,” lawyer for the victims Charles Cubaka Cicura told Reuters news agency.

The verdict for what was ruled to be a crime against humanity was heard in a packed courtroom in Kavumu, in South Kivu in the east of the country.

A military tribunal ruled that the men from the Djeshi ya Yesu (Army of Jesus) militia should be “sentenced to life in prison for the crime against humanity by rape and murder”.

The men were also convicted of murder, membership in a rebel movement and illegal weapons possession.

A total of 18 had been tried but two were sentenced to just one year in jail, while five were acquitted.

Many of the assaults happened at night. The men were alleged to believe that the blood of virgins would grant them supernatural protection.

Gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, who has developed expertise in the treatment of serious sexual injuries in the DR Congo where rape is used as a weapon of war, reported a wave of incidents to the authorities in 2015.

The people they raped have been allocated $5,000 each in compensation, with $15,000 going to the families of those who the militia murdered, advocacy groups said.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was labelled “the rape capital of the world” by Margot Wallstrom, the former UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict.

One UN official resigned out of frustration at the UN’s continued failure to halt the atrocities in Kavumu, according to a Guardian report in 2016.

In previous cases of mass rape in the DR Congo, victims have told reporters they feel ashamed by what happened, and are expected to keep it secret to avoid being abandoned by their husbands and families.

Following more than 20 years of conflict, much of eastern DR Congo is under the control of various militia groups.

–

Source: BBC

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Mr Zuma’s deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, told a local radio station: “Yes, I would believe her.”

In 2006 Mr Zuma was found not guilty of raping Fezekile Kuzwayo – the daughter of an old family friend.

He said she had agreed to have sex.

Mr Ramaphosa is competing against Mr Zuma’s ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to become the leader of the ANC in a contest starting next Saturday.

The winner of the party race will be well placed to become the country’s new president in 2019.

Analysis – Lebo Diseko, Johannesburg

There has been mixed reaction to Mr Ramaphosa’s comments about Ms Kuzwayo’s rape allegation.

Some have praised him for being more unequivocal in his response than rival candidate for ANC presidency Lindiwe Sisulu.

When she was asked the same question she responded: “I believe she believes she was raped”.

But many on social media have asked why Mr Ramaphosa did not publicly support Ms Kuzwayo when she was alive.

There has been renewed public interest in the rape trial, following the release of a book detailing Ms Kuzwayo’s account of events.

In particular there has been public anger over her alleged treatment by members of the ruling ANC at the time.

In the radio interview, Mr Ramaphosa praised Ms Kuzwayo’s courage for taking the case to court, saying:

“I know how difficult and painful it is to for a woman to garner up the courage and say: ‘Yes I was raped’. It must be one of the most difficult decisions she had to make.”

Ms Kuzwayo, who was 32 years younger than Mr Zuma, fled abroad and later died after a long illness, but the BBC’s Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says controversy surrounding the case has lingered.

Ms Kuzwayo was HIV-positive and Mr Zuma’s statement during the trial, that he showered after unprotected sex with the woman to guard against possible infection, provoked ridicule.

When he acquitted Mr Zuma, the judge concluded: “The complainant was inclined to accuse men of raping her or attempting to rape her,” .

The president’s office has issued a statement saying: “The court acquitted the president of the rape charges.

“The presidency affirms the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the primacy of the courts as the final arbiters in disputes in society.”

The race for the ANC:

Cyril Ramaphosa

• Detained for two years for anti-apartheid activities; launched mineworkers’ union in 1982
• Headed committee that prepared for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison
• Left politics to become one of South Africa’s richest businessmen – on Lonmin board during 2012 Marikana massacre
• Became South Africa’s deputy president in 2014.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

• A leading anti-apartheid activist, fled South Africa to complete medical training in UK
• Met Jacob Zuma while working as a doctor in Swaziland, divorcing him after 16 years of marriage in 1998
• Declined offer to take place of her ex-husband as deputy president in 2005 after he was sacked
• Chair of the African Union commission from 2012 to 2016.

–

Source: BBC

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The 39-year old accused is to reappear before the court on December 19, 2017.

The counsel for the accused prayed for bail, but the court refused on grounds that they did not have the jurisdiction to do so.

Background

The victim in this rape and assault case, who speaks only Ewe and French, said the suspect beat her after his apparent displeasure with the coffee she had prepared for him.

Following the incident, he dragged her to a bedroom and raped her, according to the victim, who spoke to Citi News at the police station.

She said he slapped her twice in her face, finally overpowered her and dragged her to his bedroom where she was raped.

She had also told the Daily Graphic newspaper that she is consistently harassed for sex by her boss anytime his wife was not at home.

Former AG to serve as victim’s lawyer

Ghana’s former Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, has stepped in to serve as the lawyer of the victim.

Mrs. Appiah-Oppong told Citi News she was keenly following the case, and expressed some satisfaction with the course of the investigations so far, and said she will ensure justice is served.

“We are fortunate to have caught this one early so that the investigation can be done properly. Very often, by the time we become aware of a situation like this, time has elapsed, evidence is lost and it becomes very difficult to follow up on it. That is why we are very keen to follow up on this one to make sure that the proper investigation and proper prosecution is also done,” Mrs. Appiah-Oppong said.

The police administration has said they will put forward a strong case to ensure justice is served.

Probe into misconduct

As the rape case has unraveled, the issue of suspected police misconduct has come up for discussion.

Initial reports indicated that when the case was reported to the Airport Police, the officer on duty is reported to have accompanied the victim to the Airport Hills residence of the suspect, supervised the packing of her belongings, and only ensured her November salary of Ghc350 was paid her without any arrest being effected.
ASP Tenge said investigations were also being carried out into the suspicions of misconduct and negligence “whatever it is that we find out, or we believed due process was not followed, those ones will be handled internally.”

But shedding some light on the victim’s first visit to the police where an assault complaint was made, she noted that “to her [the rape victim], she didn’t even want to pursue it.”

“All that she wanted was the assistance of the police to be able to accompany to her to her boss’ house so she collects her belongings so that is what the police did. She also demanded that she has worked in that house for the period of a month and therefore, she has the right to collect her monthly salary.”

No complaints were made of previous rape and the issue of rape had not even come in the reports, ASP Tenge added.

–

By: Marian Ansah & Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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