A 29-year-old tricycle rider, Naah Mashood, has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of defiling a three-year-old girl at Tiegber in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region.
According to a press release issued by the Upper West Regional Police Command on November 2, 2026, the convict was arrested on February 24, 2026, following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
The police said Mashood had been contracted by the child’s parent to pick her up. However, on February 23, 2026, he allegedly lured the three-year-old girl to an isolated location, where he sexually assaulted her inside his tricycle, locally known as a Cambuu.
Following the complaint, officers from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Upper West Regional Police Command arrested the suspect and commenced investigations into the incident.
After what the police described as a painstaking investigation, Mashood was first arraigned before the Wa District Magistrate Court. The case was subsequently taken to the Wa High Court for trial.
The police stated that after the trial, Mashood was found guilty of the offence of defilement. On October 30, 2026, Justice Osei-Wusu sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
In the statement, the Upper West Regional Police Command commended the officers who participated in the investigation and prosecution of the case, as well as everyone who contributed to ensuring that justice was served.
The Command also used the opportunity to caution parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children’s safety at all times.
It further encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and defilement to the nearest police station or DOVVSU office to enable prompt action.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and ensuring that individuals who commit sexual offences are brought before the law.
The conviction highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for parents and guardians to take precautions when entrusting their children’s care and transportation to other people.
Source: Thepressradio.com
