The Tarkwa circuit court sentenced a 20-year-old teacher named Jephtah Agyarko to 12 years of hard labor for defiling a student in his class.
Agyarko initially pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement during his first court appearance, and the presiding judge, Hathia Ama Manu, postponed the sentencing.
According to Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, who was prosecuting the case, the complainant is a farmer residing in Tetrem, within the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality, and she lives with her 14-year-old daughter, the victim. The convict, Agyarko, was the former class teacher of the victim and also attended the same church as the victim’s family.
On June 23, 2023, after school had ended for the day, the convict deliberately asked the victim if she planned to attend the watch night service, which their church was organizing for the same evening.
Chief Inspector Lartey explained that the victim, out of ignorance, informed Agyarko that she wouldn’t be attending but was certain that her parents would be present at the service.
Prosecution further detailed that on that same evening, at around 8:00 PM, the victim was alone at home when she heard a knock at the door. She went to answer it and was shocked to find the convict standing outside their main gate.
According to Chief Inspector Lartey, when the victim questioned the purpose of Agyarko’s presence in her house at such a late hour, he claimed to have come to visit someone in Tetrem and decided to check on her.
Taking advantage of the situation, Agyarko was able to convince the victim to let him into their living room, where he forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her.
Overwhelmed by fear of potential punishment from her parents, the victim chose not to disclose the incident to them and kept it a secret.
Chief Inspector Lartey explained that the victim, feeling upset and disappointed by Agyarko’s actions, attempted to convey her emotions through a letter. Unfortunately, the headmaster of the school got hold of this letter.
The court learned that on August 13, 2023, the headmaster, in collaboration with Agyarko, brought the matter to the attention of the victim’s parents.
On August 18, 2023, a formal report was made to the police, leading to the subsequent arrest of the accused. During the course of the investigation, Agyarko admitted to the offense in his statement, as confirmed by Chief Inspector Lartey.