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Ghanaian Pastor In Canada Jailed Over Assault Case Involving 13-Year-Old Congregant

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A Canadian court has sentenced Emmanuel Yeboah, a 38-year-old self-styled Ghanaian pastor based in Barrie, to 18 months in prison following his conviction in a case involving a 13-year-old girl connected to his congregation.

The sentencing, delivered by Justice Robert Gattrell, has drawn attention within both the Ghanaian and wider immigrant communities in Canada, where the case has sparked discussions about religious authority, accountability, and the responsibility of community leaders entrusted with the care of young people.

Yeboah was convicted of sexual assault, sexual interference, and assault after a trial centred on an incident that occurred three years ago.

Court proceedings heard that Yeboah was regarded not only as a pastor by members of his congregation but also as a trusted family friend of the victim’s relatives. According to evidence presented in court, he had offered to take the teenager to a piano lesson, an outing prosecutors argued later became an abuse of trust.

While the court avoided disclosing graphic details, testimony indicated that inappropriate conduct occurred while the pair were alone together. The victim later returned home, distressed by the experience.

During sentencing, Justice Gattrell noted that some of Yeboah’s actions reflected behaviour commonly associated with grooming, including attempts to build trust through gifts and friendly gestures.

The emotional impact on the teenager became more evident days later when she unexpectedly encountered Yeboah again at her family home. The court heard that she became frightened and sought refuge at a neighbour’s residence.

The case later resulted in an additional assault conviction linked to efforts to return her home.

Throughout the proceedings, Yeboah maintained his innocence. Even after the guilty verdict, the court heard that he continued to receive support from some members of his congregation and community.

During sentencing submissions, Crown prosecutors sought a four-year prison term, arguing that the offences involved a serious breach of trust and emotional harm to a vulnerable young person.

However, the defence requested a reduced sentence of one year, citing Yeboah’s lack of a prior criminal record, his role as the sole provider for his family, and the continued support he received within his community.

Justice Gattrell ultimately imposed an 18-month custodial sentence, taking into account several mitigating factors raised by the defence.

Among the considerations were the impact the sentence would have on Yeboah’s wife and children, as well as the immigration consequences he may now face as a permanent resident of Canada.

Under Canadian immigration law, non-citizens who receive custodial sentences exceeding six months may face removal proceedings. Although criminal courts do not directly determine deportation matters, the judge acknowledged that Yeboah could face deportation after serving his sentence.

Upon his release, Yeboah will also be subject to strict court-imposed conditions restricting contact with persons under the age of 18 unless another responsible adult is present.

The proceedings also raised questions about Yeboah’s pastoral background and qualifications.

Although he was widely described during the trial as a pastor, little information was presented about any formal religious training, official ordination, or the registration of a church organisation associated with him.

A LinkedIn profile linked to a Barrie resident with the same name identified him primarily as a courier driver and did not reference pastoral work. Court records also indicated that Yeboah supported his family through work as an Uber driver and other gig economy jobs.

The case has generated extensive discussion within sections of the Ghanaian-Canadian community, particularly regarding the level of trust placed in religious figures and the need for stronger accountability within faith-based settings.

Community advocates say the case serves as a reminder that positions of spiritual leadership should never place individuals beyond scrutiny or responsibility.

Child protection experts have long warned that abuse involving trusted authority figures can be especially traumatic because victims often fear they will not be believed or worry about dividing families and communities.

Following the sentencing, Yeboah was taken into custody while his wife, who had accompanied him to court, quietly left the courtroom alone, underscoring the wider emotional consequences the case has had on multiple families.

Although the legal proceedings have concluded, the broader impact of the case is expected to continue resonating within the community for years.

For many parents, faith leaders, and child advocates, the case has become a sobering reminder that trust must be matched with accountability, transparency, and safeguards designed to protect vulnerable young people.

myjoyonline.com

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Crime

14-Year-Old Boy, Mother And Alleged Gang Leader Arrested Over Accra-Kumasi Highway Robbery

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A 14-year-old boy who allegedly served as a lookout for an armed robbery gang has been arrested alongside the gang’s leader, his mother and two other suspects in connection with a robbery on the Enyiresi-Sekyere stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway.

The arrests followed investigations into the highway robbery, which occurred on August 18, 2026, according to the Ghana Police Service.

The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the 14-year-old was allegedly used by the gang as a lookout during their operations.

The alleged gang leader, identified as Obotan, was arrested together with his biological mother, who Police said concealed a weapon used in the robbery at her residence.

Also arrested are Issaka Napson, whom Police identified as the alleged supplier of weapons to the gang, Issaka Majeed and Majeed Huzeifa.

Police said searches of the suspects’ residences led to the recovery of several weapons and items believed to have been used in their criminal activities.

Among the items recovered was an ADLER pump-action gun, serial number 23GN-2302, which Police said was used in the highway robbery.

Investigators also retrieved a double-barrel gun, three single-barrel guns, a locally manufactured pistol and two AA cartridges.

Other items recovered included three cutlasses, two pairs of handcuffs, two jackknives, a canister of pepper spray, a pinch bar, an ammunition pouch, a tactical vest and an unregistered Royal 125 motorbike.

Police said the five adult suspects and the juvenile are in custody, assisting with investigations.

Efforts are also underway to arrest another suspected member of the gang identified as Tanko.

The circumstances under which the 14-year-old became involved with the alleged robbery gang have not been disclosed by the Police.

The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the Ghana Police Service to dismantle robbery gangs operating along major highways and other parts of the country.

citinewsroom

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Crime

Police Bust Armed Robbery Gang Targeting Gold Dealers And Mining Sites

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The Ghana Police Service has dismantled an armed robbery gang accused of targeting gold dealers’ shops, mining sites and communities across parts of the Ashanti and Western regions.

The gang was dismantled through a series of intelligence-led operations conducted between August and September 4, 2026, resulting in the arrest of five suspects, the death of one suspect, and the recovery of three AK-47 assault rifles and 357 rounds of ammunition.

Police also recovered five magazines and two vehicles during the operations targeting the gang, which allegedly operated in Wassa Akropong, Diaso, Dome, Abofour Camp and the Manso enclave.

The suspects arrested include Clinton Mawuli, 33, Richmond Mensah, alias Master Abey, Daniel Sarfo, alias Abedi, Prince Duker and another suspect.

Another suspect, Seidu Salifu, 40, who was linked to previous robbery incidents at Sakam near Offinso, died during the operation.

Police said Salifu was standing trial at the Nsuta Circuit Court in connection with the robbery of gold bullion at Offinso Abofour in July 2025.

In a separate operation on August 21, 2026, the Western Regional Command arrested five suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a 40-year-old gold buyer, Seth Kobina, at Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta in the Western Region.

The arrests followed investigations into the incident, which led police to suspect Amponsah, Christopher Seyiri, alias “Cross and Die”, 47; Bashiru Ibrahim, 20; and Thomas Odoom, alias “Wale”, 30.

Another suspect, Isaac Quayeson, alias “Last Burial”, was arrested at Denkyira Kwaboso in the Western North Region.

Police recovered two locally manufactured pistols, five live BB cartridges, a metal bar and two cutlasses from the suspects.

The Ghana Police Service said special teams have been deployed to the affected communities to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.

The deployment is intended to enable residents, traders, and other community members to carry out their activities without disruption while investigations continue.

citinewsroom.com

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Campus

Missing UCC Student Found Dead On The Beach

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Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, the 20-year-old University of Cape Coast (UCC) student who was reported missing last week, was discovered dead on the beach.

About twelve hours after her hostel roommate last saw her, her body was found at the Hutchland Beach region of Cape Coast, close to Duakor.

On June 11, 2026, at around 7 p.m., Innocentia received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the room, according to her roommate, with whom she shared a private hostel in the nearby hamlet of Amamoma.

She added that when Innocentia failed to return, her coworkers grew worried. As a result, attempts were made to find her the next day, but they were unsuccessful.

Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, was a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources) student. 

Police are now looking into the circumstances of her death.

No Obvious Physical Injuries Observed
On Friday, June 12, 2026, at around 6am, inhabitants of the Duakor village reported to the police that a body had washed up on the beach.

According to a preliminary police report, when examining the body at the beach scene, the authorities found “no visible signs of physical injury.”

UCC’s statement

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has confirmed that police investigations are underway following the death of a student whose body was discovered along a beach in Cape Coast.

In a statement issued by the University’s Public Affairs Directorate on Sunday, June 14, 2026, UCC disclosed that law enforcement authorities have launched an inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a student of the institution.

According to the UCC District Police Commander, ASP Abdul Abubakar, residents of the Duakor Community reported at about 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, that a body had washed ashore on the beach. Police officers promptly responded to the report and proceeded to the scene to verify the information.

A preliminary examination conducted at the scene revealed no visible signs of physical injury on the body. The remains were subsequently transported to the mortuary at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) pending identification and further investigations.

Later that same day, investigators received information suggesting that the deceased might be a student of the University of Cape Coast. Following this lead, the Dean of Students’ Affairs was informed to assist with the identification process and related administrative procedures.

The investigation gained further clarity when the deceased’s roommate, who shared a private hostel room with her at Amamoma, a community near the university, reported to the police station with a photograph. The photograph helped authorities confirm the identity of the deceased as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu.

The roommate told police that she last saw Innocentia two days earlier at about 7:00 p.m. According to her account, the student received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the hostel room. Concern grew among friends and colleagues when she failed to return, prompting efforts to trace her whereabouts throughout the following day. However, those attempts were unsuccessful.

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, members of the deceased’s family visited the police station and were escorted to the mortuary, where they formally identified the body. Observations made during the identification process were consistent with the initial findings, as no physical injuries were detected.

ASP Abdul Abubakar indicated that police will obtain a coroner’s form from the court on Monday, June 15, 2026, to facilitate a post-mortem examination. The procedure will enable pathologists to determine the exact cause of death and provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Meanwhile, the police have assured the public that investigations remain ongoing and that every effort is being made to establish the facts surrounding the student’s death.

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