87-year-old man remanded over alleged defilement of 9-year-old girl at Ofankor

An 87-year-old man, identified as Yaw Gahornu, has been brought before the Osu Court in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl in Ofankor, a neighborhood located in Accra. The court heard that Gahornu and the alleged victim, named Gladys Abiku, share a close living proximity, with Gahornu's sleeping quarters being situated approximately 40 meters away from the girl's home.

According to the court proceedings, the alleged incidents of abuse took place between July and August 2026. It is alleged that Gahornu used deceitful tactics to lure the young girl into his living quarters, where these heinous acts were perpetrated. The matter came to light on August 29, 2026, after the girl's mother observed bloodstained underwear on her daughter, prompting her to inquire about the cause.

The accused's nine-year-old victim allegedly disclosed the sexual abuse to his mother, adding that Gahornu had threatened her with violence should she expose the alleged abuse. Furthermore, on August 31, 2026, Gahornu was allegedly caught in the midst of the abuse by his granddaughter, Maa Afia, who promptly reported the incident to the family members.

Medical examination conducted at Ga North Government Hospital on the same day revealed that the nine-year-old victim was physically stable, albeit visibly frightened, displaying injuries and complications consistent with the alleged assault. Consequently, Gahornu was charged and subsequently remanded into the custody of the police. He is scheduled to return to court on October 7, 2026, for further proceedings.