George Borteh
13 November 2008
Liberia is of late rift with claims of rape, as it is with the present case of rape which is engendering much public interest and anxiety. 39 years old Nathaniel Wilson is awaiting trial for allegedly raping a two years old girl. Already his wife, Victoria Wilson is crying foul, claiming that her husband is innocent.
There are reports that courts around country are inundated with cases of rape, and that Liberian women are personally getting extremely involved to have men accused of rape brought before the law.
On Monday, dozens of Liberian women led by Gender and Development Minister Varbah Gayflor stormed the Courtyard of the Supreme Court to press for the trial of the accused.
Observers say the proliferation and constant allegations of rape vis-à-vis the involvement of women in these issues is scaring, noting that such trend is creating room for suspicion.
However, the current rape cause ongoing at the Monrovia City Court is generating much steam with both prosecution and defense teams playing the game in keeping with law.
In order to gather more oral and documentary evidences in the ongoing rape case, Government lawyers led by Attorney Samuel Jacobs have filed a "motion of continuous".
In its 'Motion for Continuous' to Magistrate Nelson Childeh of the Monrovia City Court, the State begged the court to grant them ample time on ground that its inside witness (raped victim) was sick and undergoing medical treatment at a local hospital.
According to the lead lawyer for the prosecution, because of the worsening condition of their inside-witness, he could not appear in court as requested to testify.
In trying to convince the court to grant it time to have more oral and documentary evidences produced during the hearing of the case, Attorney Jacobs said "even the medical practitioner who is one of the witnesses for the State is currently providing treatment to the victim."
The 'Motion for Continuous' filed by the prosecution stemmed from the request of Magistrate Childeh for state witnesses to take the stand and testify
Though the Defense Counsel led by Attorney J. Adolphus Kamuah resisted the motion of the state, Magistrate Childeh granted it and set aside November 18, 2008 for prosecution to appear in court with their witnesses.
At the same time, Magistrate Childeh has warned both lawyers in the ongoing rape case to stop employing delay tactics and always restrict themselves to the proceeding.
He also warned lawyers in said case to exhibit the sense of respect to each other and desist from attacking personalities and stick to the subject matter, adding that lawyers are professional people and they must preserve same.
Magistrate Childeh replaces Magistrate Wonda Sanda, former Acting Magistrate. She is one of the Associate Magistrates assigned at the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice.
Meanwhile, a Liberian humanitarian currently visiting the United States of America (USA) Madam Henrietta V. Kandakai has regretted the incessant reports of rape.
Speaking to this paper via telephone from the USA Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Mrs. Kandakai, who is Executive Director of the Henrietta Kandakai Foundation said it was regrettable that the Liberian society was still harboring evil minded people after years of armed violence which left every fabric of the Liberian society devastated.
The Liberian social worker said despite the many efforts by both the Liberian government and international community to educate people on the danger of rape, there were still reports of attack on women or girls below the ages of five (5) years.
According to her, the constant act of rape was barbaric, unacceptable and should be discouraged by everyone throughout the country.
Madam Kandakai indicated that the Liberian under the able leadership of Madam Ellen Johnson -Sirleaf has made countless strives in rebuilding Liberia's damaged image.
The Liberian humanitarian said in order to help prevent the increase in cases of rape, women of Liberia should step up their constructive advocacy in the Liberian society.
Women, Madam Kandakai said have played meaningful role in the attainment of peace in the country, as such should persistently stand up in the protection of women and girls.
Mrs. Henrietta V. Kandakai then pledged the fullest support and cooperation of her international NGO, Henrietta Kandakai Foundation, which has branches in Liberia and the USA, fighting terror against women in Liberia.
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