By Mohamed T. Massaquoi
Police in the southern district of Pujehun have confirmed that they are investigating two alleged incidents of rape involving an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old by workers of the two multinational companies in the district.
The alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl was reported to them on the 24th May 2014, according to Constable Lahai Koroma of the Family Support Unit in Pujehun who confirmed that he received a report that the class 6 pupil was allegedly sexually abused by Amadu Sesay, alias Dr. Who, a liaison officer for the Chinese iron ore mining company Kingho.
The FSU boss refused to be drawn on the details of the report made to his division but confirmed that no arrest was made.
One of the parents of the alleged victim, Foday (surname withheld to protect the girl's identity) said a medical report revealed that "our child is pregnant after being deflowered by this man".
He said the family doubted "very much if our daughter would survive because she is not mature enough to deliver a baby". Foday said "we are all looking up to the police and the courts to treat this matter with seriousness".
In an interview with Dr. Who shortly before he vanished, he denied the allegation saying "it is ridiculous for a man like me holding a vital position of trust in the district to do such a thing...but I can understand that it is a game being played by some members of the family just to damage my good image". He said he was having a love affair with the alleged victim's elder sister who lives in the same house.
Dr. Who said he "accepted all the allegations to the family members of the girl at the initial stage just to strike a compromise and protect my job at China Kingho".
A civil society activist in Pujehun, Francis Tokowah of People United to Save Humanity, PUSH/SL, told Politico that "Pujehun district has been named and shamed for rising sexual crimes committed against under-aged girls...and we will see to it that the case against the Kingho liaison officer is properly investigated and prosecuted".
Constable Lahai Koroma also confirmed another incident in Sahn Malen, about 18 miles from Pujehun town involving a 23-year-old ambulance driver for the agricultural company, SOCFIN who is alleged to have sexually abused an 11-year-old girl. Constable Koroma also mentioned the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in Barrie Chiefdom about 21 miles from Pujehun town. He said the suspects in both cases would soon be brought to court for trial.
(C) Politico 03/06/14
