By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema

The resident Magistrate in Kenema, Shaka Kamara of Magistrate Court No.1 has committed Foday Koroma to stand trial at the High Court for sexual penetration.

The accused was charged to court on three counts: Count one is sexual penetration of a child contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act No.12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by Sec.4(ii) of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act No.8 of 2019. Count two is sexual touching of a child contrary to Section 20 of the Sexual Offences Act No.12 of 2012 and Count Three is meeting a child for sexual purpose contrary to Section 23 of the Sexual Offences Act No.12 of 2012.

According to the particulars of offence, the accused [Foday Koroma] with no fixed abode in Kenema, sometimes in February 2024 at No.11 Susu town in Kenema city, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District in the Eastern province, engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child under the age of 18years to wit 16years. The accused on the aforementioned date, time and place, intentionally touched the child in a Sexual manner and for sexual purpose.

No plea taken and the accused was Committed to stand trial at the high court.

Magistrate Shaka Kamara having heard from the Prosecution sucking the fact of the case and records of the accused with sufficient evidences in the preliminary investigation (PI), he was left with no options but to commit the matter to high court.

The matter was prosecuted by female Police Sergeant, Bakarr Watta attached to the Legal and Justice Support Department at the Kenema Police Station.