November 30, 2016 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
Principal Magistrate at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, Dr. Abou Bhkarr Binneh Kamara yesterday granted eighty million Leones bail plus two sureties to one Mohamed Mustapha, who was preliminary being investigated in his court on a count’s charge of sexual penetration of a child, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The accused was charged to court on one count of sexual penetration, contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012.
The prosecution had alleged that between 1st January and 23rd August, 2015 in Freetown, the 27 years old accused sexually penetrated the victim under the age of eighteen years to wit 13 years.
Magistrate Kamara granted bail and committed the matter to the High Court for trial, stating that one of the sureties must produce a tittle-did and should be a residence owner in Freetown.
“Having heard the evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge?” he questioned.
“You are not oblige to say anything unless you desire to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in written and may be given as evidence upon your trial.”
“I tell you clearly to understand that you have nothing to hope for from any promise or favour and nothing to fear from any threat which may have been holding out to you to induce you to make any admission or confession of your guilt, but whatever you shall now say may be given in evidence, notwithstanding sure promise or threat.”
However, the accused told the court that he will be taking the witness stand and testify and that he shall also be calling witnesses to testify on his behalf when the matter comes up in the High Court.