University of Cape Coast student in court for rape
A 28-year-old level 200 student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Prince Tegah, who allegedly raped his 26- year-old study mate on three occasions, was on Tuesday remanded into police custody by a Circuit Court in Cape Coast.
He pleaded not guilty to the offence and he would be re-arraigned on Wednesday, December 28.
Chief Inspector Francis Ockom had told the court presided over by Mrs. Florence Kai Otu that, the complainant, (name withheld) on Friday, November 4, this year, went to visit the accused, her study mate at his Amamoma hostel, near the UCC apparently to study with him.
He said to her surprise, Tegah pounced on her and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her, but she did not disclose her ordeal to anyone.
Chief Inspector Ockom said, one week after that incidence, Tegah, raped his victim again after meeting her alone in her room at the Valco hall at UCC but this time she disclosed her ordeal to her roommate who returned from campus not long after the incident.
The prosecutor said the two young women then summoned Tegah and made him to sign an undertaking that he would not “hurt” her again.
He said last Wednesday, December 7, at about 2320hours, the accused once again visited his study mate at her hall of residence where he again forcibly had sexual intercourse with her but she managed to call her room mate who reported the incident to the school authorities.
He said the school authorities also reported the matter to the Police who arrested Tegah and gave the victim a police medical form for medical check-up.
Chief Inspector Ockom said upon interrogation by the Police, Tegah admitted having sex with his study mate with the explanation that she was his girlfriend and he was charged with the offence after police investigations.
Counsel for Tegah, Mr. Michael Arthur-Dadzie had earlier prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him continue with his end-of-semester examination, saying he had missed one paper already.
The Presiding Judge, however, refused saying rape was a serious offence which does not attract bail under the law and asked the prosecution to arrange with the school authorities for Tegah to write the rest of his papers in police custody.
Source: GNA