Victim Defiled By Pastor Almost Paralysed

The Police say the 12 year old girl who was defiled by her father, Pastor Ebenezer Asare Kumi , Head Pastor of Grace Powerhouse Ministries in Accra is almost paralysed. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah told an Accra Circuit Court when the case was called today.Pastor Kumi who is on remand was however not in court.The court presided over by Ms Ellen V. Amoah has adjourned the matter to January 22. Meanwhile, when the case was called the victim�s mother kept wiping her tears. The Pastor is alleged to have defiled his daughter while his wife was on admission to deliver their last child. Charged with incest and defilement, Pastor Kumi has pleaded not guilty.ASP Acquah had earlier told the court that the complainant was the victim�s mother, aged 35. The couple, the prosecution said, had been married for 14 years, reside at Asofan, near Ofankor in Accra and they have three children. The prosecutor said last year, the victim�s mother was admitted at the Ridge Hospital for about three weeks when she was about to deliver her last baby. According to the prosecutor, the accused person lived with the children including the victim in the same house.However, one night, according to ASP Acquah, the accused person went into the children's room, fondled the victim and had sex with her. Prosecution said after the act, Pastor Kumi threatened his daughter not to tell anyone else she will die. The victim, for fear of her life kept the ordeal to herself although she had begun limping. In December last year, the victim's mother noticed that the victim could not walk very well and therefore took her to the Ridge Hospital for examination and treatment. After the examination, prosecution said it came out that the victim had been defiled.During interrogation, the victim disclosed that it was her father who had had sex with her. The complainant then reported the matter to the Police at Sowutuom in Accra. Later the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victim�s Support Unit (DOVVSU). Prosecution said when Pastor Kumi was arrested, he denied the offence.