By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema

43-year-old Officer of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), one Bashiru Kanja, resident of Burma One Section in Kenema, Eastern Region has been released from the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) in Kenema.

Bashiru Kanja on diverse dates between January 1, and January 31, 2024 at Hangha Town, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District in the Eastern Province allegedly engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child below eighteen years to wit sixteen years. He pleaded guilty and asked for explanation.

According to the explanation from the Police Officer in Court which was confirmed by statement given at the Police station, the victim was a concubine of the accused. The accused told the court that at the time of the incident, he was not aware that the girl was below 18.

In his plea mitigation, Bashiru Kanja told the court that he was responsible for the welfare of the victim and that her parents were aware of their relationship.

Defence Counsel, Patrick Kamara of Legal Aid Board in Kenema told the court to tamper justice with mercy adding that his client is a first-time offender and didn’t waste the precious time of the court.

The High Court judge Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara therefore cautioned and discharged the accused.

 Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, June 5th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)