TWO SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS FROM KNUST REMANDED IN POLICE CUSTODY FOR SEXTORTION

Two male students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have been remanded into police custody by a Takoradi Circuit Court for their involvement in a disturbing case of sextortion. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of such actions and underscores the importance of respecting privacy and digital ethics.

KNUST Administration Roundabout

Jerome Enyam and Ebenezer Adam, both 19 and second-year students at KNUST, are accused of conspiring to commit the crime of sextortion, in direct violation of the Criminal Offenses Act and the Cyber Security Act. Their victim, Rhyndolf Owusu Hammond, aged 20, was a former student of KNUST and the son of Stephen Owusu Hammond, the complainant in this case.

According to the prosecution, led by D/SGT Robert Mensah, the trouble began in early 2023 when Rhyndolf recorded a private intimate video with his girlfriend and saved it on his laptop. This video was subsequently transferred to the phone of a close friend, Ekow Wilson, who unknowingly allowed it to be further shared by one of the accused. The video then fell into the hands of Jerome and Ebenezer.

The two students, in possession of the explicit video, began to harass and threaten Rhyndolf. They demanded a sum of GH₵ 1,800, with the threat of releasing the video on social media if their demands were not met. On November 7, 2023, escalating their threats, they sent an anonymous message demanding GH₵ 2,500.

Frightened and desperate, Rhyndolf confided in his father, who promptly reported the case to the Police Intelligence Directorate in Takoradi. This led to the swift arrest of the accused, with the police recovering cell phones containing the incriminating video.

Per your experience which one is serious?🤔@BlackStiches_ ✍️ pic.twitter.com/RkilkuPYMF
— KNUST NEWS FILE (@knustnewsfile) May 29, 2024

This case highlights the grave repercussions of engaging in sextortion and other cybercrimes. It’s crucial for students to understand the importance of digital privacy and the legal boundaries surrounding electronic communications. The school’s recent campaign against sextortion wasn't a response to this incident, but it serves as a timely reminder of the ethical standards expected from every student.

Respect others' privacy, think before you act, and understand that the digital footprint you leave behind can have long-lasting consequences. We must all strive to uphold integrity and respect in both our personal and digital interactions.

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