Driver who impregnated househelp changes plea

Accra, Dec. 4, - Kwasi Akuffo, a 56-year-old driver, who was put before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly impregnating his 15-year-old house help has changed his plea from guilty to not guilty.

    

On October 11, this year Akuffo, charged with defilement, pleaded guilty with explanation before the court presided by Mr Aboagye Tandoh who was then a relieving judge.

    

Akuffo is said to have continuously defiled the victim after she had delivered. The victim pregnancy was as aresult earlier sexual advances by Akuffo.

    

However when Akuffo appeared before the substantive judge, Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku on Monday, defence counsel, Mr George Asamaney, prayed the court for Akuffo’s plea to be retaken and facts re-read.

    

According to Mr Asamaney this to enable all parties in the matter to take note.

     

So when the facts were read Akuffo changed his plea by denying the offence.

     

Defence counsel, Mr Asamaney then prayed the court to admit his client to bail.

     

The court however remanded him into Police custody and fixed December 6 to rule on the bail application.

     

Earlier Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that the complainant is a Social Worker with Adenta Social Welfare Department, whilst the victim is a school dropout residing at Adenta, New Legon in Accra.

   

According to Prosecution, Akuffo resides in the same house with the victim and his wife. Eight years ago, Akuffo‘s wife brought the victim to stay with them at Haatso to assist with house chores.

   

In 2013 Akuffo, his wife and the victim relocated to Adenta New Legon where Akuffo’s wife engaged in soap making business.

   

During the month of April last year, at about 0900 hours, whilst Akuffo’s wife was away, Akuffo took advantage of the situation and had sex with her.

    

Prosecution said the victim got pregnant and after delivery, Akuffo’s wife took the victim to Dodowa Government Hospital where she undertook a Family Planning Method.

   

Prosecution said investigations revealed that Akuffo continued to have sex with the victim even after she has delivered.

   

The victim, who could not bear the situation any more reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit at Adenta and a Social Worker was assigned to the case.

  

The Police also issued a medical report form to the victim to seek medical attention, Chief Inspector Atimbire added.

GNA