Man Remanded in Kenema for Alleged Rape of Mentally Unstable Woman

A 28-year-old man has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Kenema following allegations of rape and sexual activity involving a woman reported to be mentally unstable.

The accused made his first appearance before Kenema Magistrate Court No. 1 on Wednesday, 21 May 2026, where he was arraigned before the Principal Magistrate of the Eastern Province, Magistrate Hadiru Daboh.

He faces two counts of sexual offences relating to the alleged incident involving a vulnerable woman.

Charges Brought Before the Court

According to court records, the first count is rape, contrary to Section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012, as amended by Section 2(1) of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act No. 8 of 2019.

The second count is sexual activity with a person with mental disabilities, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012.

Prosecution told the court that the alleged offence occurred on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, in Dauda Town, Kenema District, where the accused is alleged to have engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent.

The matter is being prosecuted by Sergeant 4654 Wata Bakarr of the Legal and Justice Department.

Following the hearing, Magistrate Hadiru Daboh ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Kenema pending further proceedings.

The case has been adjourned to 10 June 2026 for continuation of hearing.

The accused remains before the court, and under Sierra Leonean law, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.