Trader jailed 12 years for having sex with minor

A 46-year-old trader has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. He defiled a 10-year-old girl in Danfa, Accra. The Gender Based Violence Court issued the sentence.

Daniel Opoku Larbi was charged with defilement but pleaded not guilty. Judge Dora Eshun found him guilty after the trial.

The court ordered Larbi to pay GH¢5,400 as compensation to the victim. He must also cover her medical bills once they are available.

Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei led the prosecution. He stated that the complainant is a 33-year-old hairdresser apprentice from Abeka, Accra. The victim is her daughter and a pupil.

Larbi lived with the family at Danfa, Accra. About a year ago, the victim’s grandmother took her to stay there.

Larbi is the brother-in-law of the victim’s grandmother. They all lived together in one house.

On May 15, 2022, Larbi and the grandmother brought the victim back to her mother. They complained that she was being stubborn and could no longer stay with them.

After they left, the victim began scratching her vagina. She told her mother it was itching and painful but did not explain further.

On May 17, 2022, her mother noticed that she slept with open legs for several nights. This raised suspicions about possible abuse.

The complainant informed her mistress about these observations. Together, they questioned the victim thoroughly.

The victim revealed that Larbi had sexually assaulted her multiple times. She said he had sex with her five times in total.

The last incident occurred on May 13, 2022, at night. During their first encounter, she bled and Larbi asked her to clean it with her pants before taking them away.

Upon hearing this information, the complainant reported it to police at the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Accra.

Police took action by sending the victim for medical examination and treatment. A report was submitted regarding her condition before Larbi's arrest followed shortly after.