By Musa Paul Feika
Magistrate Abdul Sheriff of Magistrate Court No. 7 has, on Monday 21st January 2019, remanded three accused, including Saidu Sesay, Foday Sesay and Alfred Bangura, at the Male Correctional Centre for allegedly raping a twenty seven years old woman residing at Calaba Town in Freetown.
According to the court details, the accused were arraigned on one count charge of rape, which is contrary to section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012.
The particulars of the offences state that, on the 19th October 2018, at Bangura Street, Calaba Town, in Freetown, Saidu Sesay, Foday Sesay and Alfred Bangura raped a twenty seven years old woman at her residence.
The witness and victim, in the matter, have testified before the court. She noted that she recognizes the three accused and could also recall the 19th October 2018.
She continued that, on the night in question, she was watching television at a house of a neighbor. Around 02: 00 am, she said she left her friend’s house for her home.
The victim noted that, upon arrival at her house, she relaxed on her bed and removed her clothes in order to get good ventilation. She disclosed that as she was relaxing she suddenly saw all three accused rushing into her bedroom. She said they held her throat and sexually assaulted her one after the other.
The police witness two, Ahmed Koroma and the victim’s small brother, informed the court that, he was sleeping in one of the rooms within the same house when he heard the fracas outside. He continued that he came outside and shouted ‘tif tif’ and the three accused pushed him and run away.
He further disclosed that he later went inside the room and took a towel and covered the victim.
On the following morning, he went on, he approached the victim’s small sister, Beatrice, and explained exactly what transpired the previous night between the rapists and her sister.
The presiding Magistrate, Abdul Sheriff, refused bail and the accused were remanded in custody while the matter was adjourned to the 23rd January, 2019, for ruling.