U.S. embassy official bags life imprisonment for sexual abuse of minors in Africa
A former U.S. employee, Fode Sitafa Mara, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexual abuse of two girls aged 13 and 15, after lying to help their sick mother.
Mr Mara, 41, who worked at the U.S. embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, between 2022 and 2023, was first accused of the crime last October, the New York Post reported.
He was sentenced on Thursday by a Maryland federal judge, Lydia Kay Griggsby, after he was found guilty of charges including an aggravated sexual abuse of minors, attempted coercion and enticement of minors and attempted obstruction of justice.
Tysen Duva, assistant attorney general of the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice, said, “The defendant, while representing the U.S. government abroad, violently sexually abused two acutely vulnerable child victims.
”His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children, domestically or abroad, will face significant consequences in the American justice system.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 1
Google launches free offline AI learning hub for Nigerians
The platform currently supports English, Swahili and Arabic.
Education
ASUU resumes strike at Cross River university over unmet agreements
The chapter chairman said the union would sustain the industrial action until its grievances were addressed.
Heading 3
Sokoto ADC office sealed ahead of party’s presidential campaign flag-off
The commissioner said the property would remain sealed pending clarification from the NDIC.
NationWide
Foundation urges stronger accountability from social media platforms
Participants expressed concern about the growing influence of technology companies over users’ data and online activities.
Anti-Corruption
EFCC arraigns man, company over alleged N12.5 billion fraud in Lagos
The court subsequently adjourned the case until February 11, 2027.
Heading 4
China blocks Real Madrid, La Liga matches amid Mbappé controversy
The development followed Mbappé’s comments about the late founding leader of China, Mao Zedong.
