The rape trial involving former National Security Agency staffer Peter Bon Jallah has taken another turn, with Criminal Court “E” summoning a Rwandan forensic expert to testify about DNA evidence in the case.
Presiding Judge Alphonsus Wesseh, in an order issued on September 2, summoned Bavugirije Pascal of the Rwanda Forensic Institute to appear in court on September 16 at 10 a.m.
Pascal is expected to explain the forensic examination conducted in connection with the case and submit the DNA and other forensic reports, findings, records, photographs and exhibits related to the investigation.
The summons came after prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Crimes Unit asked the court to have the expert testify.
So far, prosecutors have called nine witnesses, including the alleged victim, a police officer, the victim’s mother and a nurse.
The latest development follows an earlier concern raised by Judge Wesseh over delays in bringing the alleged victim to court to testify.
Jallah and several others were arrested in January 2026 and later indicted during the February Term of Court on charges of gang rape, statutory rape and kidnapping.
According to police charge sheets, Jallah was arrested on January 7 following a complaint from the teenager’s family.
Police allege that Jallah sexually abused the 16-year-old victim, identified by her initials A.H.B.A., on several occasions between November 2025 and January 2026 at locations in Airfield, Sinkor, and near Camp Johnson Road in Monrovia.
Investigators also allege that on January 1, 2026, the teenager was lured with a promise of football boots before the alleged gang rape took place.
Jallah has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial is continuing at Criminal Court “E” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
