The Wa High Court has sentenced a 42-year-old man, Elyasu Kunateh, to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour for the defilement of a seven-year-old boy in Wa in the Upper West Region.

According to the Upper West Regional Police Command, through the Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), the convict was found guilty after a full trial before the Wa High Court.

The Police said the incident occurred on Saturday, 17th January 2026, and was reported by the victim’s mother, leading to the arrest of Kunateh on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the Police immediately commenced investigations and referred the victim to a medical facility for examination, in addition to offering him psychosocial support,” the Command stated.

The accused was subsequently remanded into police custody after being put before the court.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, convicted Kunateh and sentenced him to 10 years in hard labour.

The Upper West Regional Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and pursuing cases involving child abuse, sexual offences and gender-based violence.

The Command has also urged parents, guardians, caregivers and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases of abuse to the nearest police station for immediate action.