The Upper West Regional Police Command has secured a 10-year prison sentence with hard labour for a 42-year-old man, Elyasu Kunateh, after he was found guilty of defiling a seven-year-old boy in Wa.
The conviction followed investigations by the Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), which prosecuted the case after the incident was reported earlier this year.
According to a police press release issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Upper West Regional Police Command on July 23, 2026, the convict was arrested on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after the victim’s mother reported that the offence had occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The Police said they immediately launched investigations upon receiving the complaint and ensured that the child received medical attention and psychosocial support.
The accused was subsequently arraigned before the Wa High Court, where he was remanded into police custody pending the outcome of the trial.
After a full trial, the Wa High Court, presided over by Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, found Elyasu Kunateh guilty of the offence and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The Upper West Regional Police Command welcomed the conviction, describing it as part of its unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
The Command reiterated that it would continue to pursue all reported cases of child abuse as well as sexual and gender-based violence with diligence and professionalism.
It also urged parents, guardians, caregivers and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases of child abuse or other forms of violence to the nearest police station to enable swift intervention and prosecution of offenders.
The Police emphasized that protecting children and other vulnerable members of society remains a priority and encouraged the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the fight against abuse.
By 1960news.com
