By Bruce Asemota
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court has expressed concern over the increasing number of rape cases, especially those involving minors.
The judge made the remarks yesterday, while presiding over more than a dozen rape cases in which the accused did not have the means to afford the services of a legal counsel.
Consequently, he ordered the registrar of the High Court to transmit the bill of indictment to the National Agency for Legal Aid to secure legal representation for them.
The judge said most of the accused persons are adults whereas the alleged survivors are young, including a seven-year-old girl.
Some of the cases mentioned yesterday included Alagie Ceesay who is alleged to have carnal knowledge of a seven-year-old girl (name withheld) on 10th June, 2019 in Gidda Baba Njie in Brikama.
Mr Alexander Gassama is alleged to have carnal knowledge of a nine-year-old girl (name withheld) on 19th October, 2018 in Bakary Sambouya village near Brikama.
Moses Ukweni is alleged to have forcefully had carnal knowledge of two minors who are sisters between the ages of nine and eleven (names withheld) on 17th July, 2019 in Pipeline, Brikama.
Alagie Bayo is alleged to have had carnal knowledge of three minors; a twelve-year-old girl and two ten-year-old girls (names withheld) in July 2019 at Fajikunda, Kanifing Municipality.
Babucarr K Sankareh is also alleged to have raped a nine-year-old girl (name withheld) on 27th May, 2019 at Gidda, Brikama.
Alagie Bah is alleged to have carnal knowledge of a girl (name withheld) on 25th September, 2019 at Fajara in the Kanifing Municipality.
Kemo Koteh another suspect is alleged to have intentionally engaged in a sexual act with a minor (name withheld) on 8th August, 2018 in Jamisa, Brikama.
In light of all these allegations, Justice Jaiteh admonished parents and guardians to be vigilant and provide constant supervision over their young daughters and wards when they leave their homes.
