June 18, 2019
By Yusufu S. Bangura
One Abu-Bakarr Harding, a Bike rider yesterday (Monday 17th June) testified before Magistrate Abdul Sheriff, presiding at the Pademba road Court No.3, against his boss who is in court for an alleged sexual penetration of a minor.
The identified the accused (Solomon Azumah Gaima) as his boss and recalled on the day of the alleged incident.
He said on that day, he was working at the site while the accused decided that they should take a ride together and went home after the ride.
He told the court that when they arrived home, the accused told him that he was expecting someone.
He said they were seated in the parlor together with one Mr.Bailor, who left immediately the victim arrived.
He added that the accused asked him to buy beans for the victim to eat, adding that the accused asked him to leave after he bought the beans.
He told the court that in the following morning, he went to the accused’s residence and met the victim there, adding that by 11am the accused asked him to take the victim home, but warned him not to use the main road.
Also testifying was Detective Sergeant 9226 Massaquio M.M attached at Family Support Unit (FSU) Adonki Police Station,.
He told the court that he knew the victim and also recognised the accused, recalling the day of the alleged incident.
He said while he was on duty at the station, an alleged case of sexual penetration was reported by Adama on behalf of her younger sister.
He said the complainant produced one old blouse and a yellow pant, all having blood stain.
The witness said the exhibit was handed over to the exhibit clerk for safe keeping, adding that upon receipt of the report he issued a police medical form to the victim for treatment at the rainbow center.
He said they obtained statement from the victim and witnesses.
He told the court that on the 22nd March, 2019, and 2nd April 2019, he and Detective Sergeant 10048 Kamara A. obtained statement from the accused, which he singed as the recorded and witnessed by Dsgt 10048 Kamara A.
“On the 28th May 2019, I and DPC 11677 Conteh I. S finally charged the accused person with the offense of sexual penetration. I signed the charge statement as recorder and witnessed by 11677 Conteh I.S,” he said.
However, defense counsel A.S Conteh applied for bail on behalf of his client, noting that the accused is a Sierra Leonean and would make himself available whenever the matter comes up in court.
He added that the accused has reliable and credible sureties that would stand in his recognizance.
He further that the accused would not jump bail if granted and would not interfere with prosecution witnesses as the prosecutor has called their last factual witness.
The accused person is before the court on one count of sexual penetration of a child contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offense Act No.12 of 2012.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant 9939 Lahai Momoh, alleges that the accused person on Saturday 9th March 2019 at Ogoo Farm, Goderich in Freetown, sexually penetrated a child below the age of 18 to wit 17 years old.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Sheriff remanded the accused and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 19th June for further hearing.