By Fatima Kpaka
KONO – Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced Shekuba Mansaray to 15 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to sexually penetrating a 12-year-old girl. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Mansaray was tried on one count of sexual penetration of a child, contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012 (Act No. 12 of 2012), as repealed and replaced by Section 4(a)(ii) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act No. 8 of 2019).
According to the indictment, the offence occurred on August 19, 2025, in Kono District, Eastern Province, when the convict engaged in sexual penetration with the minor. Upon being arraigned, Mansaray pleaded guilty to the charge.
State Counsel C.R. Sesay urged the court to adopt the guilty plea and sentence the defendant accordingly, noting that Mansaray had been convicted on five previous occasions within the judicial district.
In response, Mansaray pleaded for mercy, promising never to repeat his conduct. His defense counsel, Lawyer A.O. Kamara, argued in mitigation that the defendant had saved the court’s time by pleading guilty and had shown remorse throughout the investigation. Kamara urged the judge to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the guilty plea was a step toward rehabilitation.
Judge’s Ruling
Delivering his judgment, Justice Bangura acknowledged the guilty plea and the mitigation put forward by defense counsel. However, he emphasized the gravity of the offence.
“The conduct of the convict is a heinous one and ought to be discouraged in society. His actions have the potential to interfere with the physical well-being of the victim and can degrade, demoralize, and stigmatize her. That is why the court has to take a tough stance in a bid to deter others from indulging in such conduct,” Justice Bangura stated.
In line with this reasoning, the judge sentenced Mansaray to 15 years imprisonment.