The four teenage boys arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a young lady at Bantama in the Ashanti Region, have been remanded into juvenile cells.
They are to re-appear in court on 10th January 2018. A recording of the act went viral on social media, prompting public uproar and subsequent action by the police.
Relatives of the suspects trooped to the Asokwa District Court yesterday [Wednesday] to witness proceedings.
Three other suspects are reportedly on the run, after one reported himself to the police bringing the arrested suspects to four.
Speaking to the Media after the hearing, Counsel for the accused persons, John Boamah, emphasized the need for patience to be exercised in prosecuting the suspects. “We need not be in a rush for the matter to be prosecuted. What the prosecution is saying is that there is the need for further investigations to be done.”
According to him, one of the juveniles was arrested last week, which means more work has to be done and in the wisdom of the court, the juveniles are in the legal custody of the state which also means their parents have the right to visit them at the juvenile cells.
“The first time they came was not a period for the juvenile court to sit so the Police had to send them back to the police cells, so in the legal sense and the way attention is being given to this issue will never help matters.
Now as it stands, so many legal issues and factual issues are yet to be determined, matters relating to juveniles. The age is of essence as to whether or not Police have been able to determine the ages is very important.
We need to exercise a bit of patience.” The gang rape video has sparked massive outrage in the country with the majority of Ghanaians calling on the police to ensure that the boys are prosecuted.
The about five minutes video shows an underage girl pinned to a mattress by one of her abusers while his accomplices take turns in an attempt to perform sexual acts on her.
The victim who was resisting her attackers all-through the ordeal was restrained from escaping by her abusers who appeared to be having fun with the torture.
The victim visited Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for psychological help.
Various civil society groups have already condemned the incident and called on the police to take immediate action against the suspects.
*Kojo Ennimil Arthur/Beachfmonline.com/Ghana*
