87-year-old man gets 20-year jail term for defiling girl at Ofankor
By DL News
Published
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In a statement dated October 12, 2026, the Accra Regional Police Command explained that the case came to light when the victim's mother returned home from work on August 29, 2026, and discovered bloodstains on her daughter's clothing.
An 87-year-old man, Yaw Gahornu, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of defiling a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor in Accra.
The conviction followed investigations conducted by the Tesano Divisional Police Command after the child's mother reported the matter to the Police.
In a statement dated October 12, 2026, the Accra Regional Police Command explained that the case came to light when the victim's mother returned home from work on August 29, 2026, and discovered bloodstains on her daughter's clothing.
Concerned by the discovery, she questioned the child, who disclosed that the elderly man had repeatedly sexually abused her between July and August 2026.
Police investigations subsequently revealed that Gahornu had allegedly taken advantage of the child's vulnerability by enticing her into his sleeping quarters, where the abuse occurred.
He was also reported to have threatened to kill the girl if she disclosed the incidents to her mother, apparently in an attempt to prevent her from reporting the abuse.
According to the Police, another significant development occurred on August 31, 2026, when the convict's granddaughter reportedly witnessed an incident involving the child.
The granddaughter subsequently informed relatives, including the victim's mother, prompting the family to report the matter to the Police.
Following investigations, Gahornu was arrested, charged with defilement and put before the Gender-Based Violence Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Headquarters.
The court found him guilty of the offence and imposed a custodial sentence of 20 years with hard labour.
Reacting to the outcome, the Accra Regional Police Command welcomed the conviction, describing its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society as unwavering.
The Command further encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and other forms of violence against vulnerable persons promptly to enable the Police to investigate and take the necessary legal action.
