Detective Sergeant Juliet Boatemaah of the Tesano Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service has reportedly rejected a GH¢30,000 bribe allegedly offered by an Assembly Member to have an alleged rape case dropped.
The case involves an 87-year-old man, Yaw Gahornu, who has been remanded by the Osu District Court over the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor, a suburb of Accra.
According to the facts presented before the court, Gahornu and the complainant, Gladys Abiku, reside in the same neighbourhood, with the accused person’s wooden sleeping structure located about 40 metres from the girl’s residence.
The court heard that the alleged abuse occurred between July and August 2026, during which Gahornu allegedly lured the child to his sleeping quarters.
The matter reportedly came to light on August 29, 2026, when the girl’s mother noticed blood stains on her daughter’s underwear and questioned her about them.
The child allegedly told her mother that the accused had been sexually abusing her and had threatened to kill her if she disclosed the alleged abuse.
The court further heard that on August 31, Gahornu was allegedly caught in the act by his granddaughter, Maa Afia, who subsequently informed other members of the family.
A medical examination conducted at the Ga North Government Hospital reportedly found the child stable but frightened, with injuries and other complications said to be consistent with the alleged abuse.
Following investigations, Gahornu was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged offence. He has since been remanded and is expected to reappear before the court on October 7, 2026.
The alleged attempt to influence the handling of the case through a GH¢30,000 payment was reportedly rejected by Detective Sergeant Boatemaah, who continued with the investigation.
By: *Daniel Akwasi Nuako, Kumasi*
