Fifty six years old Williams is said to have penetrated the sex organ of a seven year-old child on 8th August this year at the Amputee Camp, Newton in the Freetown Judicial District in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
According to the State, he committed the offence which negates section (19) of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 of the laws of Sierra Leone.
Before convicting the accused person Olu Williams to twelve years jail term, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Alusine Sesay informed the well-attended court that offences like sexual penetration of a child is on the increase. He went on to say that such crimes should be nipped in the bud by slamming severe punishment on people engaged in such acts, and at the same time, serve as a warning to other people who may attempt to penetrate the sex organ of a child under the age of eighteen.
In a separate development, Hon. Justice Alusine Sesay gave stern warning to jurors who are empanelled to provide auxiliary judicial services in determining matters relating to accused persons facing trial in the High Court for capital offences such as Robbery with Aggravation, but who normally boycott court proceedings.
He said the court has series of murder cases to determine, and that some prisoners have been kept at the country’s maximum detention centre for over five years due to the conspicuous absence of jurors to proceed with those cases.
According to Hon. Justice Alusine Sesay the absence of jurors is hampering court proceedings as well as painting a grim picture of the court. He added that jurors should take into cognizance the fact that it is their civic responsibility.
He further stated that he would not hesitate to order the arrest of any juror who boycotts court proceedings, adding that prisoners are always brought to the court, but that the jurors hardly attend court sittings.
