How Can an Impotent Man Rape a Woman?

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Sidiq Asemota

24 June 2011

One Salifu Njie, a 70-year-old fisherman residing in Brufut, Kombo North, West Coast Region, has denied having carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl whilst testifying in his defence before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala.

The accused is standing trial in a rape charge and was alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl without her consent in Brufut village in the West Coast Region sometime in March 2010. The accused, a Senegalese national from Rufisque, in opening his defence led by defence counsel, Combeh Gaye-Coker told the court that he was arrested whilst he was on his way to the beach, after he was alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenager (name withheld).

The accused adduced that he was then taken to the Brusubi Police Station and later to the police headquarters in Banjul. The accused further adduced that whilst at police headquarters, he was interrogated and during the interrogation, he made it clear to the police that he was impotent, adding that he had been suffering from the said ailment for some years. The accused told the court that he saw the victim for the first time in the court, adding that he doesn’t even know the victim.

He (the accused) disclosed that he is impotent, adding that how can an impotent man rape a woman?

Responding to questions posed to him by DDPP, SH Barkun, the accused told the court that he knows the witnesses that gave evidence before the court, adding that he once had problem with one of the witnesses called Yaya. The accused adduced that he has been on medication for some years and his condition has not improved, adding that his manhood is dead.

When put to him that he lied to the court, the accused replied that he is an elderly person and would not tell lies at his age, adding that his zeal is to cure his impotency. The accused told the court that he was taking traditional herbs for his medication, adding that some of his fellow fishermen were aware of his problem. The accused vehemently denied having sexual intercourse with the said victim.

Hearing continues on the 6th of July 2011 for the accused to call his witness.

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