Rape suspect makes first appearance

The maintenance officer at the Chief Jallah Leone Medical Center in Gbarpolu County, John Koloko, who was arrested and charged last week with rape and kidnapping a 12-year-old girl in New Bopolu, has made his first appearance at the Bopolu Magisterial Court presided over by Magistrate J. Zinnah Walters, Sr.

Suspect Koloko appeared in handcuff under tight security and was acquainted with his rights under the law, which include right to remain silent, right to legal counsel, right to free and transparent trial, and right to witnesses. He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the State.

The defendant was last week Tuesday arrested by the Gbarpolu County detachment of the Liberia National Police following complaint filed against him by the victim’s mother, Madam Louis Jackson.

Based on the complaint, police took the victim to the Chief Jallah Leone Medical Center where examination report confirmed that defendant Koloko allegedly used his fingers to penetrate the private part of the minor.
Madam Jackson alleged that while search was on in the community for the victim, the suspect kidnapped and abused her daughter in New Bopolu community where they reside.

According to her, she and other neighbors in the community asked Koloko about the victim whereabouts based on information that he (Kokolo) was spotted with the girl on the day of the incident, but the defendant denied.

Meanwhile, eight cases have been placed on the trial docket of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County, including two murders, two rapes, and four aggravated assaults. By Our Correspondent in Gbarpolu – Editing by Jonathan Browne