[ 2012-07-04 ]

Two to sue military for sexual torture
The families of two friends forced to have sex at
gunpoint are demanding compensation of GH¢800,000
from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for what they
describe as sexual and emotional torture or they
would sue the GAF.

Nii Noi Dowuona and Evelyn Odoi were reportedly
forced to fondle each other and eventually have
sex by two soldiers behind the walls of the Osu
Castle, the seat of government, sometime in March
2009.

While one of the soldiers brandished a gun to
intimidate them, the other soldier filmed the
ordeal with his mobile phone.

However, more than a year after reporting the
matter to the Military High Command and giving
testimony to an investigative board, the two say
they have received no word on their demands, while
no action has been taken against the offending
officers.

Narrating their ordeal to listeners of Adom FM’s
Dwaso Nsem Morning Show on Tuesday July 3, Nii Noi
Dowuona said his friend Evelyn asked him to
accompany her to fetch sea water behind the Castle
at Osu close to where they live. On the way, they
decided to sit and have a chat behind one of the
walls.

Suddenly, two soldiers, one identified only as
Bright confronted them, accusing Nii Noi of
smoking a controlled substance. Although the
couple vigorously denied the accusation, the
soldiers ordered Evelyn to perform oral sex on Nii
Noi, after which he was ordered to do same. They
were then ordered to have sex.

When he failed to achieve and sustain an erection,
Nii Noi was allegedly hit with the butt of a gun.
After the forced sex, Nii Noi claims he was sent
to raise money to secure their freedom. Evelyn
Odoi added that at least one of the soldiers asked
for sex from her but she refused. Officer Bright
then gave her his mobile phone number.

When they were eventually released the couple
decided to keep the humiliating experience to
themselves, but to their surprise copies of the
video began circulating in the Osu township.
Evelyn Odoi’s husband drove her and her nine-month
old baby out of their marital home when he saw the
video.

Faced with societal ridicule, the two sought
redress through the Commission for Human Rights
and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), who referred
the matter to the Military in March 2011 but have
received no word.

The family of Nii Noi Dowuona, the Gua We royal
family, is demanding GH¢700,000 to cleanse him.
Evelyn Odoi’s family is demanding GH¢100,000 for
resettlement and the upkeep of her child.

Reached for comment, the Public Affairs Director
of the Ghana Armed Forces,
Col. Mbawine Atintande disclosed that the Armed
Forces had investigated the matter and had
“administratively relieved” the offending men,
meaning they had been kicked out of the Service.

In a related development, the Network of
Journalists for Humanity, a grouping of
journalists committed to ensuring that human
rights of the citizenry are respected, has issued
a two-week ultimatum to the military authorities
to adequately compensate the victims or they will
be forced to take action on their behalf.

Osei Jnr, leader of the group, gave the warning
while contributing to the discussion on phone.

Source - Joy News

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