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An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 26-year-old plumber and hairstylist, Philip Spain Narh, to 12 years in prison for sexual extortion, blackmail, and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.
The ruling comes after a lengthy trial that exposed Narh’s deceptive scheme to manipulate, abuse, and exploit his victim.
Narh, who went by the alias “Sharon Stuttgart Woods,” used social media to lure a 19-year-old Senior High School (SHS) graduate into his trap. Posing as a wealthy German-American philanthropist involved in financial services, he convinced the young woman that he had the resources to help her achieve her dream of becoming a web developer.
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He further claimed he could secure her a scholarship at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
Eager to seize the opportunity, the victim agreed to meet Narh at a hotel in Dodowa in December 2020. However, he later directed her to another location in Bawaleshie, claiming that he had been called into an emergency meeting.
At this point, Narh, posing as his own driver’s brother, coerced the victim into having sex with him under the pretence that it was a “loyalty test” required to access the promised scholarship and mentorship.
Following this traumatic encounter, the victim distanced herself from Narh. However, he soon resurfaced under a new online identity, “Valquez Rodeo De Mel,” falsely claiming to be a concerned individual who had intercepted plans to leak her intimate footage.
He deceitfully offered to help her, only to use the pretext as leverage to further control and abuse her.
Narh demanded continued sexual encounters, threatening to release the explicit recordings if she refused. Eventually, on January 5, 2021, he carried out his threats by uploading her nude photos and sex videos to a Telegram pornographic channel named “ADULT HOUSE.” He then sent her the link to the uploaded content, amplifying her distress and pushing her into a state of severe emotional turmoil.
Fearing social stigma and desperate to avoid further humiliation, the victim confided in a close friend, who, rather than report the crime, advised her to give in to Narh’s demands.
Consequently, on January 12, 2021, she met Narh again, hoping to plead with him to remove the content. Instead, he physically assaulted her, forced her into oral and vaginal sex, and recorded the encounter to strengthen his grip over her.
The victim’s mental health deteriorated as she battled suicidal thoughts. Eventually, she confided in her coding tutor, who noticed her distress and encouraged her to report the matter to the police.
Narh was subsequently arrested at his residence. A search of his room led to the discovery of mobile phones containing multiple explicit images and videos of the victim, as well as various quantities of substances suspected to be narcotics.
Upon forensic testing, the substances were confirmed to be cannabis sativa, with net weights of 95.13 grams of powdered cannabis, 1.10 grams of cannabis seeds, and 73.37 grams of another variation of the drug.
Narh was charged with multiple offences, including sexual extortion, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, publication of obscene material, and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs. He pleaded not guilty, but after a full trial, he was found guilty on all counts.
The court handed down a 12-year prison sentence, marking a significant victory for justice and sending a strong warning to potential offenders.
Authorities have used this case to emphasise the importance of digital safety and vigilance in online interactions. Young individuals, especially women, have been urged to exercise extreme caution when engaging with strangers on social media platforms. Victims of online blackmail and abuse are encouraged to report such cases to law enforcement agencies without hesitation.
The case highlights the dangers of cyber exploitation and the severe consequences that await those who engage in such criminal activities.
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