The Tamale High Court has sentenced a man identified as Abdallah Mohammed to 15 years’ imprisonment in hard labor for the defilement of a 14-year-old girl at Nyanshegu, a suburb of the Tamale Metropolis.
The court, presided over by the sitting judge, found Mohammed guilty of the charges brought against him after the prosecution successfully established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case Details and Verdict The prosecution detailed that the convict targeted the minor in the Nyanshegu community, resulting in her pregnancy. Following the realization of the situation, Mohammed subsequently took actions that led to the illegal termination of the minor's pregnancy. Medical evidence and testimonies presented during the trial corroborated the survivor's account, proving both the defilement and the subsequent unlawful abortion. In handing down the 15-year sentence, the court emphasized that the ruling serves as a stern deterrent to individuals who exploit and abuse vulnerable minors. The judge noted that defilement carries heavy emotional, psychological, and physical consequences for the victim, and the legal system will remain resolute in enforcing the laws protecting children under the Children’s Act of Ghana.
Community and Civil Reactions Child rights activists and community members in the Northern Region have welcomed the verdict, describing it as a victory for justice and child protection. Local civil society organizations (CSOs) tracking the case noted that gender-based violence and minor exploitation often go underreported in suburban communities due to familial or traditional interference. They praised the victim's family and the state prosecution for standing firm throughout the trial to ensure legal accountability. Abdallah Mohammed has since been conveyed to the Tamale Central Correctional facility to begin his 15-year sentence.
