courtSierra Leone: Justice Alfred T. Ganda is currently presiding over 18 cases of alleged Sexual Penetration and other related offences brought before the High Court marking the start of the June Criminal Sessions in the District headquarter town of Pujehun.
Despite sexual penetration dominated, the cases but there were other matters such as Conspiracy; Sexual Penetration; Threatening to kill; Larceny and murder among others.
During the opening Session, accused Musa Giloma Kallon was brought before the Court on a three count indictment of Sexual Penetration, Sexual Touching and Meeting a child for Sexual Purposes contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused on the 3rd January 2021 at Jeniva Village, in Makpele Chiefdom, Pujehun District Southern Sierra Leone sexually penetrated a 10-year-old girl.
In his testimony shortly after the trial by Judge Alone Application was granted by the presiding judge.
Detective Police Constable 15458 John Yanson Turay, attached to Zimmi Police Station admitted knowing the 10-year-old victim and the accused. He told the court that upon receipt of the report by a relative of the victim, he issued a Police Medical Request Form to the victim’s relative which was later endorsed and returned.
The matter was adjourned for continuation of trial.
Also, accused Saidu Samai pleaded guilty to all counts of sexual penetration levied against him for sexually penetrating a two-year-old child in Helebu Village, Pejei Chiefdom in Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone.
Judgement in respect of this matter was reserved for 16th June, 2021.
Other accused persons including Mohamed Kanneh, Sia Fabbah, Allieu Tommy Lamin pleaded guilty to the offence of sexual penetration with their cases reserved for judgment.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Principal State Counsel, Yusuf Sulaiman Koroma while Lawyer Kabba Sei Coomber from Legal Aid Board is defending the accused persons.
By mohamedj.bah@awokonewspaper.sl