By Abass Jalloh
Seven accused persons on Friday 15th July 2022 made their first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Court No. 1 to answer to eight count charges related to various public order offences.
According to the charge sheet, on Tuesday 5th July 2022, Joseph Sheku Jalloh (1st), Saio Jalloh (2nd), Kulio Jalloh (3rd), Lansana Daramy (4th), Abdulai Kamara (5th), Ibrahim Kamara (6th), and Michael Kamara alias Trayman (7th), were arrested for allegedly committing various offences during campaigning for a Parliamentary By-election at Sambaia Bendugu in Tonkolili District.
The court charge sheet for the first accused, Joseph Sheku Jalloh, reads that on Wednesday 8th June 2022 at Sambaia Bendugu in Tonkolili District, he was found in possession of one small shotgun without license contrary to the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2012. On count two, on the same date and at the same place, he allegedly concealed a shotgun without lawful authority and that on Tuesday 7th June 2022 at the same place, he, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th accused persons allegedly behaved in riotous conduct contrary to section 12(a) of the Public Order Act (POA) of 1965.
The second accused, Saio Jalloh, and the third accused, Kulio Jalloh, on Tuesday 7th June 2022 at the same place were allegedly found carrying a machete an offensive weapon. And on Wednesday 8th June 2022 at the same place, the fifth accused, Abdulai Kamara, was allegedly found carrying a bayonet knife.
The fourth accused, Lansana Daramy, on Tuesday 7th June 2022 at the same place allegedly committed an offence of obstructing the police while they were said to have been in execution of their duties.
The sixth accused, Ibrahim Kamara, and the seventh accused, Michael Kamara alias Trayman, on Wednesday 8th June 2022 at the same place allegedly committed an offence of threatening to burn the house of the Paramount Chief Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III which was contrary to the Malicious Damage Act.
During testimony and cross-examination, Defence Witness John Amadu Jalloh explained how on the 7th June 2022 at Sambaia Bendugu after his elder brother (the 1st accused) had already been arrested, he was called from his own house by Police to come as they wanted to search his elder brother’s house.
He said there were over 200 people who had surrounded the house including those belonging to the paramount chief. He said at first he told the police because his brother was not around he would not allow the search.
The witness stated that he met part of the house damaged, and accused the chief’s group of being responsible.
He said during the search of the parlour and bedroom in the presence of a Crime Officer, the Officer Charge, two Councilors, and other persons he could not recall, nothing was found.
He explained that later while giving a statement, the Police showed him a rice bag and told him they found a gun which he described as a “gun for hunting”.
The lead defense counsel, Ady Macauley, who is representing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accused persons, applied for bail on behalf of all the seven accused persons.
Lawyer Macauley claimed the strength of the current evidence before them was “weak” and that the damage was not treason or murder.
He further stated that the accused persons were entitled to the protection of the law as guaranteed in section 23 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, noting that before the accused persons were brought to court, they were in custody for 30 days.
State Prosecutor, Ahmed Bockarie opposed the bail on grounds that he agreed that the offences are not felonious but that the offences “touch the peace and the wellbeing of the country”, stating that “the strength of the evidence was left with the magistrate to consider”.
Lawyer Bockarie stated the accused men might not avail themselves if granted bail.
Magistrate Kekura refused the bail request stating that at this stage the evidence in the court was not enough to determine their strength, so further evidence was needed.The matter was adjourned to Friday 22nd July 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (18/07/22)
