By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema

Thirty‑eight‑year‑old Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi of Dauda Town, on the outskirts of Kenema City, was on June 23, 2026, committed to the High Court by His Worship Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Magistrate Court No. 1 in Kenema. He faces charges relating to alleged sexual offences involving a person with a mental disability.

The accused was arraigned on two counts: rape and sexual activity with a person with a mental disability, contrary to the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (Act No. 12 of 2012). The charges were read and explained to him by Court Clerk Brima Tomboyeke.

According to the prosecution, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Dauda Town Section in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District, Eastern Province, the accused unlawfully and forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 19‑year‑old woman alleged to be suffering from a mental disability, without her consent. The prosecution further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, the accused knowingly engaged in sexual activity with the woman despite her condition.

Bail was not granted, and the accused remained in custody throughout the proceedings.

In his ruling, Magistrate Daboh stated that after reviewing the evidence before the court and being satisfied that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, he had no alternative but to commit the matter to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial.

The case was prosecuted by Police Sergeant Watta Bakarr of the Legal and Justice Support Department attached to the Kenema Police Division. The accused, Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi, remains in custody at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema pending further proceedings before the High Court.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 29th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)