A 67-year-old farmer, Robert Nii Amartey, and his 25-year-old son, Nicholas Ayi, have each served a seven-year jail term in connection with the defile
A 67-year-old farmer, Robert Nii Amartey, and his 25-year-old son, Nicholas Ayi, have each served a seven-year jail term in connection with the defilement of a 16-year-old Junior High School pupil. Robert’s attempt to settle the matter traditionally ended up counting against him.
The two men told Crime Check TVGH that they spent their first two years at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison before being moved to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, where they finished their sentences.
A relationship and a pregnancy
Nicholas said he had been dating the girl for about a year, even though her parents warned him several times to stay away from her. He admitted he ignored them, and the girl became pregnant in the second year of the relationship. According to him, the two cared deeply for each other.
Drinks, money and a hidden complaint
Robert said the girl’s father asked him to resolve the issue privately and demanded GH¢1,600, which he paid. Believing custom required him to acknowledge the pregnancy formally, he then took schnapps to the girl’s family on his son’s behalf.
He thought he was calming a difficult situation. What he did not know was that the girl’s father had already lodged a complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, which then summoned both men.
The summons surprised them, Robert said, because they believed the police had dropped the case once they paid GH¢1,600.
Guilty pleas and sentencing
Both men were taken to court, where they said they pleaded guilty. Robert told Crime Check that after he confirmed he had delivered the drinks to the girl’s family, the court did not let him explain further. He was sentenced to seven years for abetment, and his son also received seven years.
Life after prison
Life since their release has been hard. Robert lost his farm while he was away and has no job. Nicholas’s education was cut short, and he now hopes to build a future as a driver.
Crime Check Foundation has asked members of the public to help the two men rebuild their lives.
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