By Fatima Kpaka
Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced Santigie Sesay to 15 years imprisonment after convicting him of sexually penetrating a 17-year-old girl.
Sesay 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 amended by Section 4 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act No. 8 of 2019).
According to the indictment, the offence occurred in October 2024 in Kono District, Eastern Province, when Sesay engaged in sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
State Counsel C.F. Sesay led the prosecution, calling four witnesses who testified and were cross-examined by defense lawyer A.O. Kamara. In his submission, the prosecutor reminded the court that the law prescribes a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment for the offence.
During allocutus, the convict pleaded for mercy. Defense counsel Kamara argued that Sesay was a first-time offender, remorseful, and deserving of leniency to allow him the opportunity to reform and reintegrate into society.
In delivering judgment, Justice Bangura acknowledged that the convict and the victim had been in a consensual relationship. However, he emphasized that the law under which Sesay was convicted is a strict liability provision, meaning consent cannot be used as a defense.
“The law seeks to protect minors from sexual exploitation,” Justice Bangura stated. He concluded by sentencing Sesay to 15 years imprisonment, the minimum penalty under the statute.