A 34-year-old woman, Faith Ashikoye, appeared before a Mombasa court, pleading guilty to charges of online child abuse and child pornography. The accused, also known as Lucky Nduts and Faith John, faced accusations of sharing explicit images of her 10-year-old daughter with a foreigner named Zohair Al Mukaram.
According to Chief Magistrate Hon. Martha Mutuhu, Faith was charged under section 22 (3)(c) of the children’s act no. 29 of 2018 for subjecting her child to online abuse. The court learned that Faith intentionally shared her daughter’s nude photos with Zohair Al Mukaram, who was allegedly planning to visit the country for disturbing purposes. These shocking offenses occurred between August 2023 and October 15, 2023, within Changamwe Sub County in Mombasa County.Faith Ashikoye also pleaded guilty to violating section 24(1)(d) of the computer misuse and cybercrimes act no. 5 of 2018. She was charged with unlawfully possessing obscene images of her daughter on her mobile phone for pornographic purposes. Principal Prosecution Counsel Alex Gituma and Prosecution Council Yassir Mohamed are handling the case. The court scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, where the facts will be read before the sentencing.
In a disturbing turn of events, it was revealed that Zohair Al Mukaram, the foreigner involved, had intentions to engage in sexual activities with both the accused and her young daughter. The court’s decision was swift; Faith Ashikoye was ordered to be held in custody. Moreover, her 10-year-old child and her two siblings have been placed under supervised care and protection to ensure their safety and well-being.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against online child exploitation. Authorities are urging parents and guardians to be cautious about their children’s online activities and report any suspicious behavior to the relevant authorities. The court proceedings will undoubtedly serve as a stern reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from the dangers of the digital world.
By KBC