Sunyani, Nov. 2, GNA- Two teenage friends were on Thursday arraigned before a Magistrate court in Sunyani for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16-year- old Junior High School student at Masu, near Dormaa Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo.

Their pleas on the charge of rape were not taken and were granted GH=A21,000 (10 million cedis) bail each with two sureties to reappear on Nov 15 2007.

Mr. Albert Zoogah, presiding judge, referred the case to the Social Welfare Department to conduct thorough investigations into the case before the next adjourned date to enable him to make a final decision since the accused are juveniles.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police Kweku Amoako told the court that the accused persons live in Masu and attend the same school.

He said one evening in August this year, the accused invited the victim to accompany them to one of their teachers house in the area. The prosecutor said the girl obliged and followed them but they did not meet the teacher whose door was however opened. ASP Amoako said the boys took advantage of the teacher's absence and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her in turns in the room. The girl did not inform her parents about the ordeal until October this year when the parents detected that she was pregnant and took her to the hospital where it was confirmed that she was 10 weeks pregnant. Upon interrogation by her parents, the victim mentioned the names of the accused as responsible for the pregnancy and also narrated her ordeal to them.

ASP Amoako said the parents reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Sunyani who subsequently arrested the boys.

Upon interrogation the boys admitted the offence and pleaded for forgiveness.