40-Year-Old Accused of Meeting Minor for Sexual Purposes

Philip Augustine Vandy Banya, a 40-year-old unemployed resident of No. 115 Blama Road in Kenema, has been committed to the High Court for trial on charges of sexual penetration. Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Magistrate Court No. 1 in Kenema issued the committal order.

Banya faces three charges, including sexual penetration of a child and meeting a child for sexual purposes. According to Police Constable PC 13563 Zainab Fornah, the prosecutor in the case, Banya allegedly engaged in sexual penetration with a 16-year-old child at his residence between June 1 and June 26, 2025.

The accused is also alleged to have intentionally touched the child in a sexual manner and met the victim for sexual purposes at the aforementioned location and dates.

No plea was taken from Banya.

Magistrate Daboh, after reviewing the prosecution's evidence, determined there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial, and subsequently committed Banya to stand trial at the High Court of Sierra Leone for sexual penetration.