A 35-year-old man, Rashid Ahmed, popularly known as Anata, has pleaded not guilty for allegedly defiling 12 school girls aged between 9 and 15 in Wa.
The incident took place between 2021 and 2023 where the accused is alleged to have lured the girls into his home and nearby bush and gives them GH¢10 after defiling them.
He also promises to use his influence as a wedding Master of Ceremonies (MC) to get them to dance on stage during such ceremonies.
According to reports, Anata warned the girls against talking to others about the act.
An official complaint was made to the police, and the suspect was arrested at Wa and arrainged before court.
In court on Monday August 14, 2023, Rashid Ahmed pleaded not guilty to all charges when the case was read in court.
The court however ruled the case to be heard on daily basis as requested by prosecutors.
The prosecuting attorney, Saeed Abdul Shakur, expressed confidence that the suspect, who was previously charged with similar offences in 2014 and released due to lack of witnesses, would be brought to justice this time, with substantive evidence and witnesses.
The Upper West regional director of the Department of Children praised the efforts of the police and urged residents in the region to expose individuals whose actions negatively impact on the development of children.
The public and the media were urged to sustain their interest in the matter and support the judicial system to get to the end of the matter.
Rashid Ahmed has however been remanded in police custody until final determination of the case.
