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Justice Momoh Jah Steven has discharged two minors, Alie Humper Bendu and Gassium Bendu (not their real names), that were alleged to have sexually penetrated a minor.
The two juveniles were arraigned in court on one count charge of sexual penetration contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012; as repealed and replaced by Section 4 of the Sexual Offenses (Amendment) Act of 2019.
However, the State Prosecutor, M P Sesay, Esq., alleged that the Accused, on 18 February 2022, in Freetown sexually penetrated the victim who was below the age of 18-year to wit 14-year.
After reading the charges to them, they pleaded not guilty of the charge.
Also, Taylor Younge, from the Legal Aid Board, applied to the court to discharge the Accused because there was still not a single piece of evidence against the accused persons since the matter was committed to the High Court.
He told the court that the matter has taken too long and that the state has not produced any witnesses in the matter.
Justice Momoh Jah Stevens ruled that because the state has failed to proceed with the matter; he had no option but to discharge the matter for wants of prosecution.
He further stated that he will not acquit the accused persons and that whenever the persecutions have witnesses against the accused they can bring them to court.
