Muslim scholar acquitted of rape of 6-year-old boy
Convicted child rapist, Nezaam Ali as he listened to the jury deliver its verdicts on Friday
Not guilty verdicts returned on Friday essentially freed Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali of the child rape charges he faced at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court.
Also known as “Mufty”, “Mufti” or “Muffie”, Ali, who was jailed for 45 years in 2019 for a similar offence, faced a substantive indictment for the offence of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing a position of trust contrary to Section 18 (3) (a) of the Sexual Offence Act.
It was alleged that between December 2 and 31, 2011, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with a six-year-old boy by penetrating his anus with his penis, while being a teacher—Imam—at a masjid in Greater Georgetown.
That charge further alleged that he knew or could reasonably be expected to have known of the position of trust he held in relation to the said boy.
An alternative count for the offence of rape of a child under 16 Contrary to Section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act, was also presented against him by the three State prosecutors.
Following deliberations, spanning over two hours on Friday, the 12 jurors found Ali not guilty in the proportion of 11-1 on both counts. Accordingly, trial Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry informed the convicted man, who appeared in court virtually, that he was discharged.
He was represented by defence counsel Dexter Todd, while Attorneys-at-Law Simran Gajraj, Latifah Elliot, and Rbina Christmas presented the prosecution’s case.
On March 13, 2019, Ali was found unanimously guilty of sexually penetrating a nine-year-old boy at the said masjid by abusing a position of trust between December 5 and 31, 2011.
Ali had appealed this conviction and sentence and had also applied for bail pending the hearing and determination of that appeal but he was denied bail by the Chief Justice.
As it is, he is still to face trial for seven more counts of child rape. He is accused of sexually abusing seven boys who he taught Quran and Arabic lessons at the masjid.
The alleged acts were reportedly committed in a storeroom at the place of worship.
