On March 12, 2025, during the Criminal Session of the High Court, 29-year-old Joseph Sao Amara appeared before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at the Sexual Offences Court No. 7.

He is on trial for sexual penetration, charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2012, as amended by the 2019 Sexual Offences Amendment Act.

According to the indictment, the accused allegedly engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a child on December 26, 2023, in Freetown.

When the charges were read and explained to him, the accused pleaded not guilty. The State Prosecutor, Musa Pious Sesay Jr., Esq., requested a short adjournment to prepare his witness.

In the meantime, Justice Stevens refused bail and remanded the accused to the male correctional facility.

А subpoena was also ordered to be served on the witnesses, the matter was adjourned to March 19, 2025.