ccra (Greater Accra Region), 11 Nov. 1998 -

A driver was today put before a circuit tribunal in Accra on a charge of sodomy. Oko Annan, also known as "Oko Aloss", pleaded not guilty to having had an incestuous relationship with his daughter and unnatural carnal knowledge of his son.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr Charles Nyewolema, remanded him in custody to re-appear on Wednesday, November 25.

Police Inspector E.K. Dunyo said Annan has two children, a girl aged 10, and a boy of 12 years, by his former wife.

The prosecutor said when the marriage broke down, Annan took custody of the two children. The prosecution said sometime last September, while the children were asleep, Annan lifted his daughter, who was sleeping on a mat on the floor, onto his own bed and had sex with her.

On two occasions, the girl's elder brother witnessed the sex act, but he could not raise the alarm nor make any report to anyone later, for fear of his father.

The girl also did not report the incident to anyone, because the father had threatened to slash her throat and throw her body into the sea if she ever mentioned the act to anyone.

The prosecution said by this threat, Annan silenced her daughter and continued to have sex with her, until she ran away to stay with her mother at La.

The accused, on two other occasions, also had sex with his son through the anus, but as the son could not stand it, he also ran away to join his sister.

The children revealed their ordeals to their mother, who reported the matter to an Accra FM station, which aired the children's grievances against their father.

The International Club of Journalists for Children Rights, a non-governmental organisation, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, who ordered investigations and the prosecution of the offender.