A 36-year-old HIV-positive pragya rider, Joseph Nyarko, also known as Joseph Nartey, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour by the Odumase Krobo Circuit Court for defiling a 12-year-old girl in Somanya in the Eastern Region.

The court convicted Nyarko after he admitted during police investigations that he had sexual intercourse with the victim, then 12 years old, in 2024. The girl, now 14, later tested positive for HIV following a medical examination conducted as part of the police investigation.

According to the prosecution, the case was reported on May 29, 2026, by the victim’s father, 68-year-old insurance agent Peter Adamtey, after he received information that another suspect, identified as Derrick and currently at large, had allegedly abducted his daughter and taken her to his room at Adjikpo, a suburb of Somanya.

The complainant rushed to the location but did not find the suspect. He subsequently reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), where the victim disclosed that Joseph Nyarko had also forcibly had unprotected sexual intercourse with her in 2024.

Police referred the girl for medical examination, which confirmed that she had tested positive for HIV.

During further investigations, the victim disclosed that she had also engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with her former class teacher, who also remains at large and is being sought by police.

Joseph Nyarko was arrested on June 3, 2026, to assist with investigations.

According to the prosecution, further investigations at the Somanya Polyclinic established that the accused is a known HIV patient who had defaulted on his antiretroviral treatment for a prolonged period. Police further alleged that investigations suggested he had been engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with unsuspecting individuals.

To aid the investigation, police filed an ex parte application before the Somanya District Court on June 12, 2026, seeking an order for the release of the accused’s medical records. The application was granted, and the order was subsequently served on the Somanya Polyclinic.

In his cautioned statement, Joseph Nyarko admitted having sexual intercourse with the victim in 2024 at his residence.

Following the completion of investigations, police charged him with the offences stated on the charge sheet and arraigned him, where he was remanded into lawful custody.

The prosecution told the court that efforts are ongoing to arrest the two remaining suspects — the alleged abductor, Derrick, and the victim’s former class teacher — to assist with investigations and face prosecution.

Source: 3news