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West African courts rule on separate cases of child defilement
In separate legal proceedings in Ghana and Nigeria, individuals have faced sentencing or remand for the sexual abuse of minors.
A Tarkwa Circuit Court in Ghana sentenced 20-year-old Kelvin Oppong to 15 years in prison for the defilement of a 14-year-old girl. The court heard that Oppong, a galamsey operator, lured the victim to his residence by pretending to be a pastor and providing her with a substance that caused her to lose consciousness before the assault occurred.
In Delta State, Nigeria, 31-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Godstime Onyenechara has been remanded at the Warri Correctional Centre. He faces charges regarding the alleged defilement of a six-year-old girl while serving as a teacher at a private school. The suspect allegedly used intimidation and threats to prevent the child from disclosing the abuse. The case has been adjourned until September 18, 2026, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Entities
Accra Circuit Court Four · Criminal Investigations Department · Gift Chinyere Aminu · Godstime Onyenechara · High Court 1, Effurun · Kelvin Oppong · National Youth Service Corps · Tarkwa Circuit Court