The Sogakope Circuit Court has sentenced a 45-year-old farmer, Agbeko Ametame, to 15 years imprisonment for defiling his 14-year-old niece at Mafi-Dzabukpo in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.

Ametame was charged on two counts of incest, contrary to Section 105 of the Criminal Offences Act 29/60 as amended, and defilement of a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 101 of the same Act.

He pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea accordingly.

Brief facts presented to the court by L/CPL Kukubor Gifty, of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), indicated that the victim, now six months pregnant, had lived with the accused since the age of three after being placed in his care by her mother.

The victim reportedly believed the accused to be her father and lived with him in a single room.

The prosecutor noted that the accused began having sexual intercourse with the victim when she was 11 years old, leading to pregnancy.

The court, presided over by Mr Joseph Naadado Mcaly, heard that the accused instructed the victim to conceal the circumstances of her pregnancy and allegedly refused to seek medical care for fear of exposure.

The matter came to light when teachers at the victim’s school observed physical changes and questioned her.

She is reported to have disclosed that her maternal uncle was responsible, prompting a report to community leaders and subsequently to the DOVVSU in Sogakope.

A medical form was issued for the victim, and the accused was later arrested.

Investigators from both the National Investigation Bureau and the Police Service visited the scene and documented evidence.

After examining the facts, the court convicted Ametame and handed down a 15-year custodial sentence.