Rape Trial Bench Warrant Issued for Absent Defendant & Sureties

Rape Trial Bench Warrant Issued for Absent Defendant & Sureties

Justice Mohamed Bawoh of High Court No. 2 in Freetown issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant, Abass Koroma. The order follows the failure of both the defendant and the alleged victim to appear before the court, despite reports of an extrajudicial settlement between the parties.

The defendant is charged with one count of rape, in violation of Section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012 (as amended by Section 2(a)(ii) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019).

The indictment alleges that on August 13, 2024, in Freetown, the defendant engaged in non-consensual sexual penetration of the complainant, Kadijah Jabbie.

State Prosecutor R.B. Harleston submitted to the court that multiple attempts were made to secure the attendance of both parties to formally verify the status of the purported settlement.

Counsel further noted that the parties have reportedly entered into a personal relationship and have subsequently declined to attend the scheduled proceedings.

Justice Bawoh observed that in the absence of a formal notification of settlement to the court, a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant and his sureties was necessary to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.

The matter has been adjourned until March 17, 2026.