By Ilyasa Baa
The absence of Justice Sannoh from the High Court in Bo on Monday and the reported missing of one of the files of the three accused persons have left the poor family of the victim in deep frustration as they plead for justice over the gang rape of their sixteen years old daughter two years ago.
“Ever since, the accused persons were granted bail, the victim has been more traumatized and lives in fair as she comes across the accused persons in the community on daily basis”, this medium had gathered.
According to the victim’s statement, she was restrained and repeatedly abused leading to the total loss of her virginity when she was in Junior Secondary School.
The perpetrators were on the run until they ran out of luck then they were arrested and detained by the police. Due to the severity of the case, State Counsel had to send the matter straight to the High Court presided over by Justice Sannoh who seized their bail until in March 2024 when all accused persons were released to the community on bail.
However, the matter was supposed to come up on Monday but to the astonishment of litigants the High Court in Bo did not sit and is not expected to sit throughout this week because the learned Judge had an important workshop to attend. The matter was adjourned to 20th May, 2024.
Sources have indicated to this medium that the file pertaining to the first accused individual, John Lappia, has reportedly gone missing, sparking speculation of foul play within the Judiciary. Concerns have been raised by the victim’s family, who are urging the office of the First Lady to continue advocating for the protection of girls, particularly in the Southern Region.
John Lappia, Raymond Jonjo and Cyrus Fofanah stand trial for penetrating a minor on 5th August, 2022 when she at the age of sixteen.
The investigator at the Family Support Unit (FSU) Bo West was D/PC 17736 Bockarie Eddie Goodluck.
