PHOTO: Freed rape suspects in jubilant mood
By Tokpa Tarnue- tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia- The 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Liberia’s northwester Lofa County on has dismissed six rape and statutory rape cases.
The decision by the court, which was taken on Tuesday November 30, 2021, follows a motion to dismiss the cases by the defendants through the defiance team.
The Defense team in the motion to dismiss the cases prayed the court to release the detainees from further detention on grounds that they had stay in detention over the statutory period, without the state being able to draw up an indictment against the defendants.
Those released are 20-year-old Tarnue Diggen of Voinjama with statutory rape chage; Smith Kessellee, age 35 of Voinjama also with statutory rape charge; and Foday Kanned, age 40 of Vahun who was charged for rape.
Others are, 24-year-old Fallah Gaseme of Foya charged with rape; James D. Smith, age 67 also of Foya charged with rape, invasion of privacy and simple assault; while 26 years old Fayia Morlu of Foya was in detention for alleged statutory rape.
Upon their release from the Voinjama central prison by the court, the six suspects were seen in a jubilant mood while returning to their respective destinations to reunite with their families, after stating for several months with some even spending up to a year.
Responding to the Judge’s final ruling, Atty. Anthony kollie of the defense team said that the ruling was in keeping with the law and hailed the court for “the right decision”.
He said keeping suspects behind bars without indictment for trial is a complete violation of their rights and a major factor for most of the over-crowdedness not just at the Voinjama central prison but also other prisons across the country.
Efforts to speak to government precutting lawyer Crll. Luther J. Sumo, who is Lofa County Attorney did not materialize, as he chose not to speak to the issue.
Meanwhile, several human rights actors and non-governmental organizations in Lofa, are fighting to combat all forms of violence against women and girls, have described the situation as not just a set back to their efforts, but also a loss to the government as well.