One
Saikou Janneh, a marabout resident in Farato village in the Kombo North
District of the West Coast Region, recently testified in the criminal trial
involving the state against one Musa Janneh, before Justice O. Ottaba of the
High Court in Banjul.
The
accused is standing trial on one count of rape, and the prosecution alleged
that the accused on 28 February 2014 at Farato village he had unlawful carnal
knowledge of a seven-year-old girl without her consent.
In
his evidence, the witness recalled that at about 11:00pm on 28 February 2014,
whilst he was about going to bed, the victim’s father (Momodou Saidy) knocked
his door and asked him to come and see what the accused had done to his
daughter.
The
witness added that upon his arrival at the victim’s father’s bedroom, he found
the victim lying on the bed and her father asked him if he had seen sperm on
the victim’s body.
The
witness told the court that he replied to the father that he didn’t see
anything on her body.
The
witness added that he immediately went out, and asked the children to call the
accused person, who said they have not seen him since they had dinner.
Janneh
further stated that the victim was taken to Farato Health Centre, and they were
later referred to Brikama Major Health Centre.
The
matter was reported at the Brikama Police Station, where statements were
obtained from them and subsequently referred to Police headquarters in Banjul.
In
Banjul, the witness added, they went to the police Child Welfare Unit, where
their statements were obtained and they were referred to Edward Francis Small
Teaching Hospital, where a medical examination was conducted.
Hearing
continues.
