By Shallon S. Gonlor (shallonsgonlor@gmail.com)
NIMBA COUNTY — Defendant Austin Daynuah, age 23, who was adjudged guilty for attempted rape against a 6-years-old girl child has received five years prison term by the Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
His sentence period commenced from the date of his arrest and detention at the Sanniquellie Central Prison.
“Wherefore, and in view of the foregoing, the unanimous verdict of guilty of the trial jury is affirmed, and the defendant is adjudged guilty of the commission of the crime of criminal attempt to commit rape. The defendant is hereby sentenced to a prison term of five years to include time already served before this sentence. And it is hereby so ordered.”
Resident Circuit Judge Musa S. Sidibey handed the final ruling on Thursday, confirming the unanimous guilty verdict of the trial jury delivered last week Thursday, September 4, 2025.
In his final ruling, Judge Sidibey relied on the pre-sentence investigation conducted by the Ministry of Justice’s Division of Probation, which revealed that the defendant has no history crime.
Austin Daynuah, 27, trial began on August 26, 2025 in the specialized Sexual Offenses Division Court after the the grand jury for Nimba County sitting in its November Term, A.D. 2024 returned a true bill, charging the defendant with criminal attempt to commit rape against a 7-year-old girl in a banana bush in Garplay Town, Nimba District-4.
The Ministry of Justice through its prosecution on December 11, 2025, filed with the court a ten count indictment and substantially alleged that on November 5, 2024 about 4:30pm in Garplay Town, the defendant with criminal intent, violently jumped on the survivor, forcibly removed her clothes and attempted to penetrate her vagina with his penis.
The indictment further alleged that the defendant admitted to his presence in the yard and sending the survivor’s brother to go and buy cigarette for him, but that he denied having sexual contact with the survivor.
The police investigation established that the defendant with cruel motive covered the survivor’s mouth with his hand, forcibly took her to the banana bush, sexually molested the survivor by removing her underclothes with the attempt to penetrate the survivor’s vagina with his penis.
According to the court document, the defendant escaped the crime scene after he heard the survivor’s mother alarming, shouting and calling in search of the child victim.
During his arraignment in open court, the pleaded not guilty to all counts and the crime levied against him following the reading of his indictment by the clerk of court, thereby, joining issue with the state to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
The trial saw the selection of twelve jury members who sat and listened to the legal proceedings, retuned a unanimous guilty verdict from their room of deliberation on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Criminal attempt to commit rape is a felony of the second degree, which a person of criminal attempt if, acting with the kind of culpability otherwise required for commission of an act, he purposely engages in conduct constituting a substantial step toward commission of the offense.
For the two-week trial, Prosecuting Lawyer Atty. Joseph Suah presented five witnesses and two subpoenaed witnesses, while Defense Lawyer Cllr. Tarlo Wehyee produced three witnesses, including the defendant himself.
During the trial, the alleged victim testified in-camera, describing the incident in detail.
The victim stated that the defendant covered her mouth, took her to a banana bush, removed her clothes, and “did bad things” to her. She also testified that her mother arrived on the scene, and the defendant ran away, leaving behind his shirt.
The victim’s mother, Rita Nuah, testified in open court, describing how she found her daughter naked and crying. “I saw Austin coming from the banana bush after he saw me. And my daughter started to come to me without clothes on, and I asked her who took her there,” she said.
Martha Gonleh, SGBV focal person at the Karnplay Comprehensive Health Center, testified about the medical report, stating that the examination confirmed the victim’s hymen was intact, and there was no evidence of penetration.
The defendant, Austin Daynuah took the stand, testified, and denied the charge, claiming it was a fabrication due to a conflict between his late parents and the victim’s family. He testified that he was accused after being identified by the victim’s mother and was subsequently arrested by LDEA officers.
This sentence serves as a testament to the court’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of children in Liberia.
About Sanniquellie Central Prison
The Sanniquellie Central Prison, where the convict will serve his sentence, has been facing challenges related to overcrowding and poor living conditions.
According to reports, the prison, which was designed to accommodate 70 inmates, currently holds nearly 200 inmates. This overcrowding has raised concerns about the health and well-being of prisoners, including the risk of disease transmission.¹
In fact, the prison has experienced outbreaks of Hepatitis B and C, affecting over 40 inmates.
The poor state of hygiene and health services in the prison has been cited as a major contributing factor to the outbreak.
Despite these challenges, the court’s decision to sentence the convict reflects a commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Importance of Protecting Children’s Rights
The attempted rape of a 6-year-old girl is a serious violation of her rights and dignity. The court’s sentence sends a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated in Liberia. The country’s laws and institutions must continue to prioritize the protection of children’s rights and safety.
It’s worth noting that female inmates at the Sanniquellie Central Prison have also reported dehumanizing experiences due to lack of sanitary napkins and healthcare.
This highlights the need for improved healthcare delivery services and gender sensitivity in prisons.
