Yao Benegbe, 46, farmer, allegedly defiled the daughter of his host, who had offered him an overnight accommodation at Nyative village, near Tokokoe, in the Ho District.

Benegbe pleaded not guilty to defiling the 13-year old girl, when he appeared before the Ho Circuit Court and was remanded in Prison custody to reappear on July 19. Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Chris Agbodza told the court that at about 1600 hours on March 26, Benegbe, who said he was travelling to Atikpui, near the Ghana-Togo border, got stranded for non-availability of a means of transport. He pleaded with the parents of the girl to be their guest for the night. Chief Inspector Agbodza said the Benegbe, who had earlier introduced himself to the couple as hailing from the same area as his host, was granted his request on humanitarian grounds. He said that the next day, soon after the victim's father left for where he sells his palm wine, Benegbe introduced himself to the rest of the family as a magician, who could turn a leaf into money.

The Prosecution said the accused placed some leaves in a bowl, sprinkled some powdery substance on them and covered it with calico.

He instructed the victim to place the bowl with its content in her mother's room, which she obliged. Chief Inspector Agbodza said while the rest of the family went to fetch water from the riverside, Benegbe asked the victim's mother to allow her to remain in the house so that she could witness while the leaves turn into money. Shortly after the rest of the family left, the victim also left the house to visit her friends in the neighbourhood. Chief Inspector Agbodza told the court that the victim later returned to the house and stood in front of her mother's room. Benegbe held her by the neck, dragged her into the room and sexually assaulted her. The prosecution said the victim's sister, who had returned from the riverside opened the door and saw them. Benegbe was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Tokokoe police.