Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Defilement in Wa

WA, Upper West Region — A 42-year-old man, Elyasu Kunateh, has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour for the defilement of a seven-year-old boy in Wa.

The conviction was secured by the Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) under the Upper West Regional Police Command.

According to police reports, Kunateh was arrested on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after the victim’s mother reported the assault, which occurred three days earlier on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Following the complaint, law enforcement authorities immediately launched an investigation, referred the young boy to a medical facility for examination, and provided him with psychosocial support. Kunateh was subsequently arraigned before the Wa High Court and remanded into police custody.

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, His Lordship Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi found Kunateh guilty of the offense following a full trial and handed down the 10-year prison sentence.

In a statement signed by DCOP Mr. Francis Yiribaare, the Upper West Regional Police Commander assured the public of their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and pursuing cases involving child abuse and gender-based violence. The police also urged parents, guardians, and community members to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected abuse to the nearest police station for swift action.