On 26 January 2016, Musa Diouf alias “Senegalese”, was arrested for allegedly raping an under aged girl in Goodrich, west of Freetown. According to the victim, she was on her way from running an errand for her mother when the accused approached the victim. The victim added that the accused dragged her into his room where he sexually abused her.
In her testimony to the Court, the victim explained about how her mother noticed a bloodstain on her dress the next morning.
The accused, throughout the trial, has denied the allegations stating that on the day in question he was at a construction site with Amara Bockarie and that he had no knowledge about the incident.
Medical reports stated that the victim is no longer a virgin though the wounds were not fresh.
After six prosecution witnesses including the medical doctor’s report, Justice John Bobsco Alieu acquitted and discharged the accused.
The Judge, in his submission, pointed out though six witnesses testified against the accused, the prosecution failed to investigate if the accused was indeed at the construction site on that day.
Justice Alieu also directed the Court to the prosecution’s inability to investigate the alibi witness, Bockarie. He added, testimony from this witness would be a key element to determine the prosecution’s case.
SV/21/6/18
By Sylvia Villa
Friday June 22, 2018.
ADVERTISEMENT