Pujehun: “Rapist” teacher back in detention after second court appearance

By Francis Lahai Conteh

A primary school teacher on trial for alleged rape of a minor in Pujehun was sent back to prison after his second appearance in court on Thursday. 

Umaru Bah, 22, is charged with one count of Sexual Penetration for the incident involving a 14-year class six pupil of the Roman Catholic Primary School in Ngandohun Village, Malen Chiefdom.

The accused is said to be a teacher of his alleged victim.

The accused made his second appearance today, 30^th June, before Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda at the Pujehun Magistrate Court.

It could be recalled that he made his first appearance on the 27^th June, when the matter was adjourned due to the absence of the Medical Doctor who carried out tests on the victim. The medic was expected to testify today, but he did not show up.

Several witnesses have testified in the case, including the father of the alleged victim, Musa Moriba, and a police investigator, Detective Sergent Mbayo A.J.

Today, a sister of the alleged victim, Massah Sama, also testified before the court as the 5th Prosecution Witness.

In her testimony, Massah told the court that she was given the task by their mother to find out about the relationship between her sister (victim) and the accused. Massah disclosed that after engaging her younger sister, she established that they had been involved in a sexual relationship,

Massah said her sister confirmed having sex with the accused, a statement she restated in front of their mother.

Justice Ganda adjourned the case to Friday 1^st July, when the medical doctor is expected to testify.

The case has attracted huge attention in Pujehun, after it was alleged that the police attempted to compromise it after allegedly receiving bribe from the family of the accused.

The police has since denied that. 

Pujehun District has one of the highest rates of sexual and gender based violence in Sierra Leone. And rights campaigners say compromise at the level of police investigation is one of the factors hindering efforts to contain the scourge.

The situation is also a major hindrance to girl child education in the district.