87-Year-Old Man Jailed 20 Years For Defiling 9-Year-Old Girl
ACCRA — The Police Headquarters Gender-Based Violence Court has sentenced an 87-year-old unemployed man to 20 years imprisonment for defilement of a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor in Accra. The sentence was contained in a press release signed by Chief Sup. Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs, Accra Region, dated 12th October, 2026.
According to the release, the convict, Yaw Gahornu, was charged with two counts of defilement and unnatural carnal knowledge. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on his own plea. The nine-year-old victim was reported to have experienced lower abdominal pain, painful urination and fecal incontinence as a result of repeated vaginal and anal sex.
Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei told the court that the complainant is a 42-year-old trader and mother of the victim who resides in the same neighbourhood with the convict at Ofankor. Gahornu’s wooden structure where he slept is located about 40 meters from the complainant’s residence. The court heard that he started luring the victim to have anal and vaginal sex from July to August 31, 2026.
On August 29, 2026 at about 1540 hours, the complainant returned from work and noticed blood stains in the victim’s pant. Upon questioning, the child mentioned Gahornu as the person who had sex with her anytime she went out to play. He threatened to kill her if she told her mother. He was caught in the act on August 31, 2026 by his granddaughter who alerted the victim’s family.
The court sentenced Gahornu to 10 years imprisonment on each of the two counts of defilement to run consecutively, totaling 20 years. He was discharged on the charge of unnatural carnal knowledge. The court noted that although he was a first-time offender who did not waste the court’s time and had spent a month in lawful custody, the increasing nature of defilement cases required a deterrent sentence.
The Accra Regional Police Command through Chief Sup. Juliana Obeng reiterated its commitment to protecting children and urged parents and guardians to report all cases of defilement promptly to the police for swift action.
Call or WhatsApp +233 20 2190 250 and share your story. Author: Stella Sunu
