Self-styled evangelist jailed over sodomy

A self-styled evangelist, Benjamin Bandong, who had anal sex with a 12-year pupil, was on Wednesday sentenced to seven years imprisonment in hard labour by an Accra circuit court. Bandong, an ex-convict, pleaded guilty to defiling the victim. The court, presided over by Ms Ellen V. Amoah, convicted him on his own plea adding it took into consideration previous account of a similar offence Bandong had committed. The court, however, expressed its regrets over the fate of the victim for not being catered for emotionally and psychologically. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah said the victim resides at Ogbojo near Madina with his grandmother, a retired civil servant. Bandong, a 22-year old trader, resides at Madina. In September last year, Bandong met the victim at Charismatic Worship Centre in Ogbojo after church service and introduced himself as an ��evangelist�� and that he wanted the victim to be his friend. ASP Acquah said Bandong, therefore, invited the victim to his house in November last year and had anal sex with the victim after which he warned him not to disclose it to anyone. Prosecution said Bandong later went to the complainant�s house and introduced himself as an evangelist and friend to his grandson. On December 28, last year, Bandong again went to the complainant�s house and saw the victim lying on a student mattress in a store in front of the house and again removed the victim's pants and licked his manhood. A witness, who went to the store, caught Bandong in the act and reported to the complainant who later quizzed the victim over the act and he disclosed his ordeal to her. The complainant, therefore, reported the matter to the police and a medical form was issued to the victim for examination. Bandong was later apprehended by the police.