By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens has discharged one John Mansaray, 22, of a sexual penetration crime at the Sexual Offences Model Court in Freetown on Monday 11th October this year.
Mansaray was arraigned in court on a count indictment of sexual penetration of a nine year old child.
The state alleged Mansaray on diverse dates between the 1st to the 31st August 2017 in Freetown, engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor. The 22-year-old accused had denied the allegation when he appeared in front of a Magistrate for preliminary investigation.
The accused, speaking from the dock, told the judge that he was living at Lakkah in the Western Rural district with his aunt who brought him from Binkolo in the Northern Province to stay with her.
The young man said that if the judge discharged him of the crime, he would return to his Binkolo home.
On that note, the judge admonished the counsel from Legal Aid Sierra Leone, Cyril Taylor-Young to assist the young man return to Binkolo.
Justice Steven spoke about the slow pace of the case that he said was not progressing.
The Appeal court judge sentenced the young man to the time he has spent on remand and further discharged him of the crime on which he was arraigned for. He ordered the Correctional Officers to release Mansaray.
A military officer in his full uniform believed to be a relative of Mansaray shed tears of joy in court, following his release.
In another matter, on the same day, one Hassim Keita was arraigned in court for rape before Justice Musu Damba Kamara.
Counsel for the state, Elizabeth Jalloh said that the accused was first arrested and brought to court on the 19th July 2019. She said that a preliminary investigation was conducted and Keita’s matter committed to the High Court the following day.
She stated that the prosecution made an application on the 1st October last year for the matter to be tried by judge alone. She said that they have led in four witnesses that have testified against Keita and tendered four exhibits. She said that they wish to end their case after tendering the committal warrant that was signed by the accused and the presiding magistrate.
The defence lawyer, Komba Kanu said that they rely on the voluntary cautioned statement made by the accused while in police custody. He said that they will lead no witnesses to testify for the accused.
The judge adjourned the matter for the 22nd November this year, with the prosecutor set to give closing address on the 1st November 2021.
Copyright © Politico Online 13/10/21
