Bimbila ‘rapist’ soldier charged

• Posted on January 23, 2019
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

A junior soldier, Hagan Paa Kwasi accused of raping a 16-year-old form two schoolgirl at Bimbila in the Northern region has formally been charged with the offence, police and the regional state prosecutor’s office have confirmed.

The principal state attorney department which reviewed a docket prepared by police investigators has concluded that based on evidence found, the officer be prosecuted for statutory rape.

The soldier was part of a peacekeeping force sent from Tamale to the chieftaincy violence-torn Nanumba north district capital.

He was accused in November last year of raping the teenager for more than five minutes whilst she and her colleagues were having a night preps at her school, Tonaa Junior High School.

Paa Kwasi who was supervising a curfew in the township veered into the school and dragged the victim to a nearby school, Jilo Junior High School, and sexually abused her whilst she groaned in resistance.

The victim suffered abdominal pains and was treated at the Bimbila Government hospital. She reported the incident to her mother who then told her husband.

The military top command in the region recalled the solider and detained him and sent investigators to the ground and the crime scenes. It is not clear whether the soldier was suspended without pay.

The Regional Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took over investigations after the municipal police was forced by community leaders and the press to open probe.

After two months of legal lacuna, the police have been instructed to quickly arrest the disgraced soldier and commit him to stand trial.

The police have received the advice of the attorney general since January 14. The Regional Crime Officer confirmed the recommendation to the police.

He told Starr News the police would act swiftly as directed by the attorney general department.

He said the military high command had already been served with a notice to hand over the suspect, adding the solider would be sent to the district court by Monday. The officer if convicted could face up to 25 years in jail and dismissal from service.

The Regional command was not available for comments.

Meanwhile, the father of the victim, Afa Gariba continues to appeal for justice for his daughter who he claimed is being stigmatized in her school.