Essa Jobe was charged with rape contrary to Section 3(1) and (2) of the Sexual Offences Act 2013 and punishable under section 4(1)(a)(i) of the same Act.
It would be recalled that on 1 June 2021, at around 20:00 hours at Green House, Coastal Road, and behind an old abandoned building, Essa Jobe unlawfully engaged in carnal knowledge with the minor, under coercive circumstances.
Subsequently, the minor returned home and informed her mother and sister about what happened. The family devised a plan to confront Essa, inviting him to their home by falsely claiming that his wife was sick and needed his assistance.
When Essa arrived, he noticed that something was amiss. Upon seeing the victim's mother, the convict became suspicious and attempted to escape by jumping over the fence. However, the police, already alerted by the victim’s family, were nearby and quickly pursued him, ultimately apprehending him and taking him to the police station, where he was charged and detained.
Upon evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence, the court, in its judgment, concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond all reasonable doubts. That Essa Jobe indeed raped the minor under highly coercive circumstances.
“The law is clear: his actions are unlawful, and all essential elements of the offence have been convincingly established,” the presiding judge stated. The court further stated that the actions of Essa Jobe not only resulted in the rape of the minor but also involved severe threats to her life.
“These aggravating factors intensify the seriousness of the crime, revealing a deeply troubling pattern of behaviour,” Justice Jaiteh interpreted, saying the convict’s violent nature and blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of a vulnerable child demonstrate his “dangerousness”.
“The betrayal of trust he inflicted upon the minor's family is profound, and his conduct is morally reprehensible. Notably, even after committing this grave offence, he exhibited no remorse, remaining defiant and dismissive of the consequences of his actions,” the judge concluded.
In addition to compelling witness testimonies, the presiding judge stated that the prosecution presented medical evidence that corroborated the minor’s account, saying the medical examination confirmed signs of trauma consistent with sexual assault, further reinforcing her testimony.
The court also stated that the Police testimony provided additional context surrounding the accused’s arrest, establishing a clear connection between his actions and the crime committed.
However, in her plea in mitigation, defence counsel F.T Saho begged the court to temper justice with mercy and give a lenient sentence, adding that the convict was a first-time offender, has a 7-year-old child and a fisherman for twenty years.
After listening to the defence’s plea in mitigation, the court ruled that the convict, Essa Jobe, brutally raped his wife's younger sister, and the court could not overlook the egregious betrayal of trust and the moral depravity inherent in such vile actions. It added that the convict not only exploited the naiveté and vulnerability of a defenceless young girl but also unleashed a torrent of threats that left her physically injured and emotionally traumatised-actions that are unequivocally despicable and utterly unequivocally inexcusable in society.
Under Section 4(1) of the Sexual Offences Act, and considering the disturbing and coercive circumstances surrounding the heinous attack on an innocent victim, the presiding judge stated that the court must impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence.
“This sentence not only serves as a measure of justice for the victim but also as a powerful and unwavering message to all would-be rapists: such appalling behaviour will not be tolerated,” Justice Ebrima Jaiteh stated, saying: “The law will respond decisively to protect the vulnerable, enforce accountability, and ensure that those who commit such atrocious acts face the full weight of the consequences of their actions.”
