By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Principal Magistrate, Hadiru Daboh, of the Kenema Magistrate Court has committed a 38-year-old teacher, Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi, to the High Court for trial on allegations of rape and engaging in sexual activity with a person living with a mental disability.

The committal ruling was delivered on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, after the court concluded that the prosecution had established a prima facie case sufficient to warrant a trial before the High Court.

According to court records in Criminal Case No. C/R 1935/2026 and C/P 447/2026, the accused, Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi of Dama Town, Kenema, faces two serious charges under Sierra Leone’s Sexual Offences laws.

The first count alleges rape, contrary to Section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012, as amended by the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2019. Prosecutors alleged that on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, in Dama Town Section, Kenema City, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District, the accused engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with the complainant.

The second count accuses Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi of engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disability, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012. Court documents identify the alleged victim as Zainab Fanka, who is said to be living with a mental disability.

During the preliminary investigation proceedings, the accused elected to rely on a statement he had earlier made to the police. In a statement recorded under the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965, the accused reportedly admitted having sexual intercourse with the complainant but denied using force.

“I had sex with the victim, but she was not forced,” the statement attributed to the accused reads.

After reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution and considering the defence’s position, Principal Magistrate Hadiru Daboh ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

“Having gone through the pieces of evidence adduced by the prosecution and having regard that the defendant has relied on his statement from the police station, it is the position of the court that the prosecution have made a prima facie case sufficient enough to warrant the committal of this matter to the High Court for trial,” the Magistrate ruled.

The court subsequently refused bail and ordered that the accused remain in custody pending his appearance before the High Court.

The matter is expected to be heard by a High Court judge at a date yet to be announced.