General Corporal Emmanuel Duah, 46, has been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for the defilement of a 14-year-old girl at a police station. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, March 26, by the Ho Circuit Court, presided over by Felix Datsomor.
Duah, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted for the despicable act that took place on September 19, 2021, at the Ave-Xavi Police Station in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region. The court heard that the victim, a Class Five pupil, was sent by her mother to harvest rainwater from the police station’s frontage for household use.
Assistant State Attorney Enyonam Letsa, representing the Republic, detailed the horrifying ordeal, stating that Duah forcibly dragged the girl into a room at the station and sexually assaulted her after she refused to run an errand for him.
Despite Duah’s denial, claiming he only touched the victim’s breasts, evidence presented during the trial, including the victim’s testimony, medical examination reports, and a demonstration of the crime scene, left no doubt about his guilt.
The court, while acknowledging Duah as a first-time offender, emphasized the severity of his crime and handed down a 12-year sentence of hard labor. In his plea for mitigation, Duah cited his role as the sole breadwinner for his family, but the court stood firm in delivering justice for the victim.
This case underscores the importance of holding individuals in positions of authority accountable for their actions and ensuring the protection of vulnerable members of society. It serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, especially those entrusted with upholding it.