By Mohamed Conteh
Justice Alusine Sesay has issued a bench warrant for 45 jurors at the start of the May 2021 criminal sessions of the High Court in Freetown. The judge issued the order after a roll call of 205 jurors was done which revealed a sizeable number of absentees. He admonished the jurors to treat their work with seriousness as they have a moral obligation to the court and the country in general.
He acknowledged the need for training of jurors as they will be sitting in cases like murder, robbery and larceny.
A total of 61 cases were brought up ranging from but not limited to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, larceny, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with aggravation, wounding with intent and burglary.
Both the state and accused persons were represented in court. While presiding over the cases, the Judge learnt that some of the accused were on bail and others yet to be served a warrant of arrest. Justice Sesay raised concern when he noticed that some of the accused that committed serious crimes like murder were absent in court. One such case was that of Ibrahim Sesay alias Okada who was accused of committing murder.
In the matter of Abdul Karim Kamara alias Benzema, who was accused of malicious damage to a steel door and tile worth the sum of 845,000 Leones, the accused pleaded guilty. The Defense Counsel pleaded with the judge to be magnanimous enough to temper justice with mercy since the accused wasted no time in pleading guilty. The accused was acquitted, cautioned and ordered to pay the 845,000 Leones to the complainant within a one month period.
One case that led to clearly audible murmurs in the court until the clerk ordered for decorum, was that of the case of Bockarie Quee, a father of two, who was accused of stealing a goat. He was charged with larceny. After plea from the accused and the defense counsel and the fact that the accused had no representation earlier in the Magistrate Court, Justice Sesay granted him bail in the sum of 2 million Leones with one surety residing in Freetown. The matter which is to be presided by Justice Augustine K. Musa was adjourned to the 24th May 2021.
Most of the accused were refused bail and all the cases were adjourned to 24th and 25th of May 2021 to be presided over by Judges of the High Court.
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