Court jails Nigerian woman 15 months for assaulting nine-year-old daughter at Duase

A Circuit Court in Tafo, Kumasi, has sentenced a 34-year-old Nigerian national, Beauty Alakwe, to 15 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for unlawfully causing harm to a minor at Duase, near Kenyasi, in the Ashanti Region.

The conviction followed a complaint lodged on November 22, 2025, by a resident of Duase with support from the local Assembly Member after a nine-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted. Police investigations later established that the accused was the child’s biological mother.

The case was investigated by the Kenyase District Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) under the Tafo-Pankrono Police Division and subsequently prosecuted in court.

On Friday, December 23, 2025, the court, presided over by Festus Fovi Nukunu, found Ms Alakwe guilty of causing harm, contrary to Section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

She was sentenced to 15 months in prison with hard labour and fined GH¢6,000. In default of payment, the court imposed an additional 15-month custodial sentence. The convict failed to pay the fine and has since been transferred to the Kumasi Central Prisons to begin serving her sentence.

The court further ordered the Department of Social Welfare in Mamponteng, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, to ensure the welfare of the victim and facilitate the reunification of the child and the woman’s nine-year-old son with their family in Nigeria.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command commended members of the public for their cooperation in reporting the incident and assisting with investigations, while cautioning against acts of mob justice.

Police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons across the region.