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
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.”
States
Troops arrest suspected terrorist kingpin, ammunition supplier in Kaduna
Troops arrested suspected terrorists and intercepted ammunition couriers in Kaduna State.
Heading 1
FBI, EFCC to probe USAID funds diversion, mismanagement in Nigeria
The EFCC said the U.S. and Nigerian anti-graft agencies reached an agreement on September 10, 2026.
Agriculture
Ex-Senate leader Ndoma-Egba urges Nigeria-Taiwan tech co-creation in agriculture
Mr Ndoma-Egba said Taiwan’s success in agricultural technology offers an instructive blueprint for African economies seeking to address food insecurity and youth unemployment.
Anti-Corruption
UK judgment doesn’t affect Diezani’s corruption probe in Nigeria: Advocacy Groups
Ms Taylor said the UK case was limited to the specific charges and evidence presented in court and did not cover all allegations Nigerian investigators may be examining.
Abuja
FCTA inaugurates task force to reduce maternal mortality
The FCT mandate secretary, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said the task force would remain operational as long as women continued giving birth in the territory.
Politics
Makoda council empowers 100 women with ₦5 million start-up capital
Makoda council area in Kano has given ₦50,000 start-up capital each to 100 women to support their small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
