A Ghanaian man identified as Mallam Abass Abdulai reportedly locked up his 23-year-old son, Basty, for 20 years due to his epileptic condition.

According to Myjoyonline, Basty has lived most of his life in a locked room so that he would not have the opportunity to walk out. He eats, sleeps and defecates in the same room.

It also reports that food and water were often passed through a window, which also serves as his only source of light.

Basty’s father, Mallam Abass revealed that the family decided to isolate him because of his condition.

Speaking to Myjoyonline, Mallam Abass said his son suffers from epilepsy and is unable to independently think for himself, understand what he is told or take care of himself.

According to him, his son also defecates anywhere so he thought restricting him to a room was the best option to prevent him from being attacked by his epilepsy in the open.

He added that it was to avoid the embarrassment from outsiders coming to tell him to get Basty if he suffers an attack while in public.

Basty’s father said his mother abandoned him when he was just 18 months old and had not returned since. Basty was raised by his late grandmother.