LOFA COUNTY, LIBERIA-The assigned Judge at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County, Wesseh A. Wesseh, has adjudged defendant Franklin Gongar guilty of Statutory Rape and has sentenced him to fifty years imprisonment.
The Forty-four-year-old convict, Gongar, was indicted by the State for raping a twelve-year-old-girl in Gbarga Gborkata, Bokuma District, Gbarpolu County, in November 2023.
The indictment stated that on November 1, 2023, Gongar sent the victim to buy him cane juice and upon her return, he forcibly pulled her into his room and sexually abused her.
Judge Wesseh, in his ruling, said:” The prosecution evidence during the trial was convincing, forming the bias to link defendant Gongar to the crime of rape.
In another development, an Attorney at Law, Vincent Smith, is commending President Joseph Boakai for the appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court.
Atty. Smith, one of the Ruling Party’s Lawyers, commendation is an expression of confidence in Cllr. Massaquoi. It followed calls by Civil Society Organizations asking the President to withdraw the nomination.
He told ELBC on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, that the concerns raised about Cllr. Massaquoi representing Agnes Taylor should not be held responsible for a duty he performs as a lawyer.
Atty. Smith expressed confidence in the ability of Cllr. Massaquoi to handle the task of finally finding justice for a long-held national grieve.