The Ghana Police Service has arrested a man seen in a viral video handing a substance suspected to be a cigarette to a child.

The suspect, Samuel Obeng Acheampong was arrested on 22nd November, 2025 through an intelligence-led operation.

According to a letter signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Criminal Investigation Department, Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, the suspect admitted to the offence during interrogation and indicated that the incident occurred about five (5) years ago.

"The suspect is in custody, assisting the investigation, and will be put before the court," the letter shared on Facebook read.

The Police Service assured that it remains committed to ensuring the safety of children and cautioned the public against acts that expose them to harm.

It added that, it will not relent on ensuring that perpetrators are pursued and arrested to face the full rigours of the law.

In July this year, the Wa Circuit Court sentenced Issahaku Waris, a 31-year-old resident of Wa Zongo, to seven years imprisonment for defiling a 5-year-old female child.

The court presided over by His Lordship Jonathan Avoogo gave his ruling on Friday, July 18. The unlawful act, according to the Ghana Police Service, occurred on Thursday, April 24.

The convict was apprehended on Saturday, April 26, by officers of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and swiftly put before the court.

The victim’s family and the community, who were cooperative, aided the diligent investigation carried out by the DOVVSU.

The Police noted the conviction in the defilement case underscores its unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of vulnerable members of society. It has thus encouraged members of the general public to report all forms of abuse promptly.

The Criminal Offences Act, 1960, defines defilement in Section 101(2) of Act 29 as natural or unnatural carnal knowledge of a child under sixteen years of age with or without the child’s consent.

According to section 14(a) of Act 29, consent for carnal knowledge of a child under sixteen years is void—with punishment of not less than seven years and not more than twenty-five years in prison.

The Ghana Police Service continues to ensure it seeks justice for families that have had their underage children defiled.

In January this year, a case of child defilement led to the sentencing of Stephen Otu, a 32-year-old tiler, to 22 years imprisonment with hard labor.

Otu, popularly known as Atta, pleaded guilty to the charges and begged for mercy, but the court found him guilty and handed down the sentence as a deterrent to others.

According to Chief Inspector of Police Abraham Ayitey, the prosecution told the court that the victim, a 12-year-old primary six student, was defiled by Otu in Wassa Akropong township.

The convict had asked the victim her age, and despite knowing she was only 12, he lured her into his room, assaulted her sexually, and gave her GH¢20.00 after the act.

The court heard that Otu took advantage of the victim on three separate occasions, resulting in her pregnancy. The victim's mother discovered her pregnancy on November 24, 2024, and the victim revealed that Otu was responsible.

A report was made to the police, and a medical examination confirmed that the victim was two months pregnant.

The court, presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, sentenced Otu to 22 years imprisonment with hard labor, emphasizing that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar acts.

In 2024, a 47-year-old man was arrested in Kuwait, a community in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, on suspicion of defiling a three-year-old girl.

Locals apparently captured the culprit, named as Efo Emma, in the act and brought her to the Tuba Police Station, where she was placed under arrest.

Reporting on "Nyankonton Mu Nsem" on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Oheneba Ademah stated that Efo Emma allegedly lured the minor into his room and defiled her on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The incident occurred while the victim's mother was at the market.

According to the report, another tenant in the house heard the minor crying from Efo Emma's room. Despite knocking, there was no response, and the door was locked from the inside.

Ademah reported that the tenant questioned Efo Emma about why he had the girl in his room and refused to open the door while she was crying. When the suspect did not respond, the tenant raised an alarm, prompting other residents to rush to the scene.

They forced open Efo Emma's door and discovered him naked, having smeared the victim's private parts with pomade. Ademah further revealed that the suspect had also applied pomade to his genitalia.

Efo Emma was arrested and taken to the Tuba Police Station, where he is currently being held. The minor, who is in pain, has been transported to the hospital for a medical examination.