Melville Robertson Roberts, a senior government official, has been charged with rape according to reports reaching Gambiana.

The Ministry of Justice last year launched an investigation into allegations of rape and sexual assault against Mr. Roberts after five women lodged a complaint. 

Police have now charged Mr Roberts for rape and sexual assault after completing their investigation. The case will be brought to trial when the courts reopen after the coronavirus lockdown. 

“As soon as courts resume hearing, be assured that this case will be heard in earnest,” Police PRO Lamin Njie told The Standard.

Mr Roberts, who is the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recently returned to the country from his studies in the U.K., denied any wrongdoing. 

The rape allegations against Mr Roberts emerged last year after a woman with the social media handle Chaat Joyce posted the accusation on her Facebook page. This prompted other alleged victims to come forward with their accusations against Mr Roberts.

The hashtags #SurvivingMelville #IamToufah trended on social media as Gambian women and girls defy strong cultural and religious taboos to share their stories 

The Gambia’s #metoo movement started in the wake of Fatou Jallow’s testimony, a former beauty queen, who went public with her accusations of rape and sexual assault against former president Yahya Jammeh.

Mr Roberts alleged victims have welcomed the police decision to press charges as a watershed moment for the Gambia’s #metoo movement. 

Lala Touray, a member of the #SurvivngMelville support group, told the Standard: “This means a lot to us as women’s rights activists. We want to see a government that will take a stance against these influential men. Kudos to them [government] because they are setting a good precedent here.”

Yama Jack, who uses the twitter handle Jollof Feminist, tweeted: “Let justice take its course, and let it be an example to the many who think they can get away with the abuse of women and girls.”

Mr. Roberts has been suspended from his post pending the outcome of the court case.