By Stephen N. Tokpah
(Freelancer)
Police in Bong County has charged and forwarded to court the City Solicitor of the Salala Magisterial Court for allegedly raping his 16-year-old cousin in the county.
According to Police charge sheet, Edwin F. Kopoi, 27, committed the crime on July 9, 2024 in Salala, Bong County.
The Police charge sheet further revealed that the survival told the police that in February of this year her uncle brought her from Sierra Leone to Liberia in the name of taking good care of her by sending her to school; all promises are yet to be realized.
The survival at the same time told Police investigators that on their way from Sierra Leone to Liberia when they got in Monrovia her uncle, suspect Kopoi had sexual intercourse with her before reaching Salala.
The survival further told the Police that suspect Kopoi was in the constant habit of beating on her badly and would naked her whenever he is beating her; something, witnesses had advised him about but he failed to adhere to their advice.
The victim noted that suspect Kopoi usually give her cane juice, a local alcoholic drink and after drinking it, when she becomes abnormal or drunk, that is the time he goes into her room and have sex with her.
The survival explained that suspect Kopoi always threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone about the incident but, she informed some community members because she was tired with her uncle’s sexual abuse.
However, during Police investigation, suspect Kopoi admitted to beating her naked but, denied having sexual intercourse with her.
Meanwhile, the Police charge sheet revealed that based on the evidence, physical beating mark on the victim body, witnesses statements, medical reports that’s yet to be out, and couple with the accused voluntary admittance to the crime, the Police charged Suspect Kopoi with Statutory Rape, Simple Assault and Human Trafficking under section 14.70, 14.21 and section 2 (b) of the revised Human Trafficking act of 2001.
The Salala Magisterial Court City Solicitor is currently being placed behind bar at the Gbarnga Central Prison awaiting his days in court.
