By: Audrey Raymonda John
At the Criminal Session of the High Court on March 12, 2025, twenty-nine-year-old Joseph Sao Amara appeared before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at the Sexual Offences Court No. 7, standing trial on a charge of sexual penetration contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012 (Act No. 12 of 2012), as repealed and replaced by Section 4 (a)(ii) of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 8 of 2019).
According to the indictment, the accused allegedly engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child on December 26, 2023, in Freetown.
When the charge was read and explained to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The State Prosecutor, Musa Pious Sesay Jr., Esq., requested a short adjournment to prepare his witness.
In the meantime, Justice Stevens refused bail and remanded the accused to the male correctional facility. A subpoena was also ordered to be served on the witnesses. The matter was adjourned to March 19, 2025.
