Rapist Gets 10 Years Imprisonment

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Sidiq Asemota

13 June 2011

One Seedou Manneh of Wellingara Village in the West Coast Region was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala, to serve 10 years imprisonment after being convicted of the offence of rape.

The accused was alleged to have had an unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl without her consent, on or about the 1st of September 2009 in Wellingara Village in the West Coast Region. The prosecution led by DDPP S.H. Barkun called three witnesses to prove the charge against the accused, tendered exhibits including the cautionary and voluntary statements of the accused person, and medical examination certificate, and were admitted in evidence for the prosecution.

The defence called four witnesses including the accused himself. The victim in her evidence, adduced her testimony in details as to how the accused person met with her, deceived and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. Whilst the accused in his evidence made a vehement denial of accusations.

After the closure of the defence case, the parties filed and exchanged briefs. The prosecution mapped out three issues for the determination by the said Special Criminal Court. These are: Whether the victim was raped; whether she was raped by the accused person having regards to the position of law on corroboration; and whether the evidence of the prosecution witnesses are by themselves consistent or that there are any material contradictions.

In delivering judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala disclosed that the prosecution had proved its case beyond doubt, adding that the evidence of PW1, PW2 and PW3 and the medical evidence admitted as Exhibits “B” and “C”, were not controverted or contracticted. The accused was therefore convicted on the said offence and sentenced accordingly.

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