By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Justice Samuel Omodele Taylor has ordered that 10 witnesses testify ‘henceforth’ in the ongoing trial of the accused person, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray in a case of sexual penetration of a minor, that will resume this Monday 12 July 2021at the Sexual Model Court in Freetown.
Kamarainba is arraigned in court together with one Marion Arouni as the second accused and an accomplice on allegations of sexual penetration of a 15-year-old secondary school girl.
The alleged victim had told the court in her testimony that the 1st accused, Kamarainba took her on the 14th February 2020 to Lion Mountain hotel in Kono where he had sexual intercourse with her.
The matter has now shifted solely on the itinerary of Kamarainba to verify whether the allegation by the victim was true or not.
The first defence witness was one Isha Mansaray who told the court that she was the ‘girlfriend’ of Kamarainba. She said the 1st accused was with her in Makeni on the said date on which the victim had alleged that the 1st accused took her to the said hotel in Kono.
Kamarainba also testified in court that on the said date he was in Makeni with the girlfriend. He added that he had thrown a party for his workers at his site in Mankneh, Makeni. It was at this juncture that he associated several of his staff to the event, so as o corroborate his claim.
At the end of the cross-examination of the 1st accused, by State Counsel, Umu Sumaray, the defense led by Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai then said that they were to bring over 60 witnesses to testify. The presiding judge had told them to do their application via the necessary method.
The first 4 of the 60 proposed witnesses had testified in the previous sitting. All of the witnesses said Kamarainba was in Makeni on the 14th February 2020 with the first defence witness Isha Mansaray. During the trial, the defense had acceded to the judge’s request that not less than 5 witnesses be present at the trial on Wednesday 8th July 2021.
However, on the said date, there were no witnesses to testify as agreed earlier, which prompted the judge to increase the number to ten witnesses per day in a bid to expedite the trial.
The matter is expected to continue today 12th July 2021.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 12/07/21
