Man remanded for defiling iced water seller

Accra, Jan. 16, - One out of five men who allegedly had sex in turns with a 13 year-old iced water seller has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court charged with defilement.

Sulemana Mohammed Razak, 21 years, claimed he did not know the victim was 13 years adding that the victim told him she was 16 years. 

He, however, admitted having sex with her. Explaining further, the accused said he also sold packs of pure water and on the day of the incident the victim came to his shop looking sick. He said he inquired from the victim her condition of health. 

The victim then explained that she was feeling cold. The accused, thereafter, decided to purchase some pain killer known as “Quick Action,” for the victim. 

The accused narrated that after getting the quick action for the victim, he advised her to go home but she declined. 

The victim explained that her Auntie, who she stays with, had travelled. The court then interjected and asked the accused: “Did you have sex with the victim?” the accused then responded: “Yes my Lord”. 

Court: Did you know the victim is 13 years? Accused person: 

No please, the victim told me she was 16 years. Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sophia Eva Ennim told the court that they had not been able to procure the birth certificate of the victim hence the Police was doing an age assessment for the victim. 

The court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, after listening to the accused, entered a plea of not guilty for him. Razak was then remanded into police custody to reappear on January 30 for hearing. 

The case of prosecution was that the complainant, Mohammed Salisu, is a teacher residing at Redco, a suburb of Madina and an uncle of the victim. 

According to prosecution, the victim lives with her grandmother at Madina Post Office while the accused person resided at Madina Lorry Station. 

DSP Ennim said the victim sold sachet water at Madina Zongo Junction Lorry Park. 

She said in December last year, at about 0600 hours, the victim was on her usual rounds selling water at the station when an accomplice of the accused person, now at large called her under the pretext of buying water. 

When the victim got closer to the kiosk where the accomplice was, the accomplice then dragged the victim into the kiosk and Razak held her legs and pulled the victim into the kiosk whilst covering her mouth to prevent her from shouting. 

DSP Ennim said Razak and the four others took turns and had sex with the victim; after the act they left the victim in the kiosk. A witness who saw the victim laying helplessly in the kiosk rescued her and apprehended Razak to the police station. 

Prosecution said the complainant was given a medical form to seek medical attention for the victim. The medical form was brought to the police station which necessitated the arrest and subsequent charging of Razak. 

GNA