December 14, 2021
By Hafsatu Z Bangura
Adams Conteh was arraigned again before Justice Momoh Jah Stevens at the Sexual Modern Offences Court in Freetown on the 13th December 2021 at the high court of Sierra Leone of sexual penetration contrary to section 19 of the sexual offences Act 2012, Act no 12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by section 4 (a) (ii) of the sexual offences Amendment Act 2019, Act no 8 of 2019.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 particulars of offence Adams Conteh on a date unknown between the 1st January and the 12th August 2021 at Freetown in the western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child.
First prosecution witness (PW1) said the accused is a neighbor; they both are living in the same compound. The victim said her friend Isata asked her to accompany her to the accused house when the victim’s friend and the accused called her inside and the accused removed her dress and the accused removed his own clothing and tied the victims hand with cloth.
The victim said the accused striped her naked, laid her on the bed and raped her, the victim said the accused then untied her after he had done and dressed her up and threatened her not to say a word to anyone and went home.
The victim said the accused called her again and did the same thing to her, tied her and raped her again and untied her and dressed her again and threatened her again.
The victim concluded that the accused called for her again but this time she was sent by her sister Alimatu Kamara to the accused house to drop food for the accused and the accused again tied her, striped her naked and raped her again, and after untied her and dressed her and told her not to say a word to anyone and not to mention his name.
Second Prosecution Witness, Saio Kamara mother of the victim a business woman living at 3a Wharf road Portee said the accused and his parents are living in the same house and that she is familiar with some of the family members of the accused.
The victim’s mother said her daughter was sick and took her to the hospital and the doctor told her that the victim had an infection and examined her and confirmed that she had been tampered with, the victim’s mother said she asked her who tampered with her and the victim mentioned the accused name.
The victim’s mother concluded that she got annoyed upon hearing the accused name and told the victim’s father and reported the matter to the police after the victim had been examined at the rainbow center.
Third Prosecution Witness (PW3) the victim’s sister also confirmed and concluded that the accused is his neighbor and that she usually sends the victim to leave food for the accused unknowing to her of the accused actions towards the victim.
Fourth Prosecution Witness (PW4) Detective Sargent 9350 Nenneh Kamara attached at the family support unit Kissy police station said on the 14 August 2021 that she was on duty when a case of sexual penetration was brought by Saio Kamara accompanied by a 12yrs old child.
She continued that on the 16th August 2021 issued the victim’s mother a medical request form for the examination at the Rainbow Center and it has been in police custody and was tendered in court as Exhibit A1-3 and on the 30th August 2021 sergeant Johnny Paul obtained a voluntary caution denial statement from the accused and that detective Sargent was a witness and was tendered in court as Exhibit B1-7.
She furthermore explained that on the 14th September 2021 herself and Patrick, the accused, the victim and relatives of both the accused and the victim. And that she obtained statements from the relatives of the victim and the accused.
During cross examination by the defense counsel, C. Taylor Young Esq said the prosecution witness did not write the accused and that she did not submit original copy of the birth certificate as the seal on the birth certificate was not shown presented by the mother of the victim, though prosecution witness said it was an original birth certificate.
Defense counsel C Taylor Young said the accused been lettered was forced to do a thumb print signatory to the voluntary caution statement, prosecution witness responded saying that only thumb prints are allowed even though the accused was lettered.
The state counsel Musa Pious Sesay Jnr in his closing submission said the accused is charged with one count offence of Sexual Penetration contrary to section 19 of the sexual Act No12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by section 4 (a) (ii) of the sexual penetration Act N0. 8 of 2019 and was charged directly by the Attorney General Minister of Justice.
State counsel continued that the Attorney General directly charged the matter to court rather than going through a preliminary Investigation at the Magistrate Court including the alleged victim, her mother, and the police investigation.
The accused Adams Conteh concluded that he has two witnesses, the boss Sinneh Mansaray who resides at Spur Loop and his mother. He has asked for them to testify in this at the High Court. The matter has been adjourned to the 15th December 2021.