There was drama at an Adentan Circuit Court on Friday when a grandmother, pleaded with the court to reduce the 13-years sentence imposed on a 24-year old Nigerian, accused of defiling her granddaughter.
The complainant, who reported the defilement of her granddaughter to the police, raised her hand to attract the attention of the judge, Mr Sedinam Awo Balokah, and said “Please the 13 years is too much, reduce it.”
The trial judge, however, rebuked her saying, “Someone has defiled your granddaughter and you are here pleading for him?”
The complainant, who claimed the victim was a “spoilt” child, apologised to the court, “please, I have not been to court before. I did not know the implications of my actions, I am sorry”.
Kelvin Nwogwu, a 24-year-old Nigerian, pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement and prayed to the court to forgive him because the victim told him that she was 18 years old.
The age assessment done medically, however, indicated the victim could be 13 or 14 years.
The court convicted the accused on his own plea, saying it considered the fact that accused was a first offender, his quick admission of guilt and the fact that he did not waste the court’s time.
Inspector Gloria Ayim told the court that, the complainant, a 58-year-old farmer, resided with the victim, a class three pupil, at Adenta while convict resided at Adenta Lotto kiosk.
Prosecution said on February 3, this year, at about 6:00 pm, the complainant asked the victim give food to her daughter, who also reside within the vicinity.
Insp. Ayim said the victim returned home the following day at 0600 hours and the complainant quizzed the victim.
The court heard that victim said accused lured her into his room while she was returning from the errand and had sex with her.
Insp. Ayim said the accused asked victim not to return home until the next day.
A report was made to the police and a medical form was issued to the complainant to seek treatment at any government hospital. -GNA
