A Kumasi Circuit Court has ordered the remand of a forty-five-year-old self-styled prophet into police custody following his arrest for the alleged defilement of a fourteen-year-old girl. According to reports from GhanaWeb and Graphic Online the incident took place during a deliverance session conducted at a spiritual center in the Kumasi metropolis. The prosecution stated that the suspect took advantage of the victim under the guise of performing spiritual cleansing rituals.
The victim allegedly reported the incident to her parents after the session concluded which led to a formal complaint at a local police station. Citinewsroom reports that police investigators secured medical evidence before presenting the case to the court. The presiding judge declined to grant bail at the initial hearing citing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Reporters from the Ghana News Agency indicated that the prosecution requested more time to finalize the docket for the Attorney General department. The court subsequently adjourned the matter for a period of two weeks to allow for further witness statements and forensic analysis. The identity of the suspect has been withheld by some outlets to protect the privacy of the minor involved in the case.
Legal representatives for the accused have denied the allegations and maintained that the prophet is innocent of the charges. The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public regarding spiritual practices that may lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The suspect will remain at a police facility in the Ashanti Region until his next scheduled court appearance.