A 40-year-old preacher, Godwin Asher, has been remanded into police custody by the Kwabenya Circuit Court over allegations of incest and causing harm to his biological daughter.
Asher, a mason, pleaded not guilty to both charges. His lawyer, Mr Godfred Anim Darko, argued that the case arose from disciplinary action taken after the 17-year-old allegedly stayed away from home for several days. He maintained that the prosecution’s account differed entirely from his client’s version and denied any sexual abuse, noting that Asher had raised the girl since childhood.
Mr Anim Darko requested that the victim be placed in the care of an uncle and sought bail for the accused, stressing that Asher was not a flight risk and had family and church members in court ready to act as sureties. However, prosecutors opposed the request, saying the accused and the victim live in the same house. The court declined bail and ordered Asher to reappear on 25 August 2025.
The prosecution said a 64-year-old beautician and neighbour in Ashongman Estate lodged the complaint after noticing the victim bleeding from her right palm on 2 August. The victim allegedly explained that she was injured when her father pulled a cutlass from her during a beating.
Investigations revealed further allegations that Asher had been sexually abusing the victim, with the most recent incident on 30 July 2025. A police medical form was issued, and the victim was examined and treated.
