Liberia: Former NSA Official Jallah Seeks New Trail after Conviction for Statutory Rape and Kidnapping

Monrovia – Criminal Court “E” at the Temple of Justice has scheduled a hearing for Monday, November 2, at 10 a. m. on a motion for a new trial filed by Peter Bon Jallah, former National Security Agency, NSA official convicted of statutory rape and kidnapping involving a 16-year-old boy. By: Willie N. Tokpah The hearing presents the next crucial test in a closely watched criminal case after Assigned Circuit Judge Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh Sr. , sitting without a jury, found Jallah guilty of two of the three charges brought against him but acquitted him of gang rape. FrontPage Africa has been informed by court sources that the court has received the motion and will hear arguments on Monday.

Depending on the outcome, the court is expected to proceed with a pre-sentence hearing, followed by the imposition of judgment and sentence, subject to the applicable procedures and any further orders from the judge. Jallah’s defense is seeking to overturn the verdict, arguing that aspects of the court’s findings are inconsistent with the evidence and that legal and procedural errors warrant a new trial. The motion was filed on October 27, four days after Judge Wesseh delivered the verdict on October 23. It asked the court to set aside the convictions and reconsider the case. The outcome of Monday’s hearing could determine whether the proceedings move toward sentencing or whether the case returns to trial. A Split Verdict On October 23, Judge Wesseh found Jallah guilty of statutory rape and kidnapping but acquitted him of gang rape. The ruling followed a bench trial in which the judge evaluated testimony, documentary evidence, medical findings, forensic evidence, and arguments from both the prosecution and defense. The three charges arose from allegations involving a 16-year-old boy who…