Tarkwa: A taxi driver, who pretended to be a stream god and defiled a 15-year-old girl in a bush, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour by the Tarkwa Circuit Court in the Western Region. Raphael Agyiri, 22, pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement.
According to Ghana News Agency, Chief Superintendent of Police Alex Odonkor informed the court, presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, that the complainant is related to the victim, with both residing in Bogoso, while Agyiri is a resident of Kokoase, all within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
On June 2, 2022, at approximately 6:30 pm, Agyiri encountered the victim near a stream in Adjeikrom, a suburb of Bogoso, while she was running an errand. He professed his love for the victim and used a strategy to instill fear in her, claiming to be the gods of the nearby stream. He threatened her with death within two weeks if she refused to have sexual intercourse with him.
The prosecutor detailed how Agyiri’s intimidation led the frightened victim to cry out for help, but to no avail. Agyiri then dragged her into a nearby bush and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her before escorting her back to her home and subsequently fleeing.
Upon returning home, the victim experienced vaginal and lower abdominal pain, recounting the ordeal to her complainant and grandmother. On June 4, 2022, upon spotting Agyiri near their residence, the victim alerted the complainant, leading to Agyiri’s arrest and subsequent handover to the police in Bogoso for investigation.
A medical examination confirmed the defilement, with a report from Wassa Akropong Government Hospital endorsing the findings. After a full trial, the court found Agyiri guilty and sentenced him to 15 years in prison, also ordering him to pay GHS10,000 in compensation to the victim.