Teacher to Stand Trial Over Alleged Sexual Activity With Mentally Disabled Woman

A 38-year-old school teacher, Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi, has been ordered to stand trial at the High Court in Kenema after a magistrate court ruled that there is sufficient evidence linking him to charges of rape and sexual activity involving a person with a mental disability.

The decision was made on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, following a committal proceeding at the Kenema Magistrate Court, where Principal Magistrate Hadiru Daboh determined that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused.

Massaquoi, a resident of Dama Town in Kenema City, is facing two counts under Sierra Leone’s Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012, as amended in 2019.

Court documents state that the first charge relates to rape, allegedly committed on 5 May 2026 in Dama Town Section.

The second charge involves engaging in sexual activity with a person living with a mental disability, identified in court records as Zainab Fanka.

During the proceedings, the court heard that the accused had earlier provided a statement to police in which he admitted to having sexual intercourse with the complainant, but denied that force was used.

“I had sex with the victim, but she was not forced,” the statement attributed to him reportedly indicated.

After reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution alongside the accused’s statement, Magistrate Daboh ruled that the matter should proceed to full trial at the High Court level.

The magistrate further denied bail, ordering that Massaquoi remain in custody pending his appearance before a High Court judge on a date to be determined.

The case will now be heard at the High Court, where the prosecution and defence are expected to present full evidence before a final determination is made.