By Mabinty M. Kamara
Public concern over the gridlock caused by heavy security during hearings in the ongoing treason trial of former Defense Minister, Major (Rtd) Paolo Conteh, has intensified, amidst calls for the venue to be relocated.
Conteh is on trial for alleged attempted assassination of President Julius Maada Bio. Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens of the High Court in Freetown is presiding over the case which holds at the main court building on Siaka Steven Street.
Every time the hearing is held, there is heavy security presence within the vicinity of the court. Armed policemen always cordon off a major part of Pademba Road and Siakia Steven Street: From Liverpool Street on both ends of the adjacent highways up to Gloucester Street on Siaka Steven Street. This usually occasions heavy traffic as vehicles, both private and commercial, are diverted.
The main law court building is located on Siaka Steven Street, near the famous Cotton Tree which connects the West end of the city to the Central Business District. Here is located a lot of offices, including banks and other businesses.
Residents and people who commute through this area say economic activities within it have been disrupted by the trial which has been ongoing since April.
Kekeh rider Philip Koroma says he can barely afford to make breakeven anytime there is a hearing on the case.
Koroma had one of his worst experiences on Thursday May 21, the last adjournment date.
“I can’t forget that day,” he said, as he recalled his experience stuck in traffic for hours.
“It was so frustrating that I barely managed to pay my master. This is a busy area, but I don’t know why they didn’t take this particular case to another court,” he said.
Koroma doesn’t intend to come to the Central Business District on the next adjournment date of the hearing - May 30.
Elizabeth Caulker was prevented from entering her house on the same day because police had barricaded a footpath leading to her entrance. Caulker’s home is located along Pademba Road, close to the Police CID Headquarters. She said the armed security personnel prevented her from passing through.
“They had blocked the main street by Liverpool Street when I arrived, but I was stopped. They said no one was allowed to pass. Knowing how our police can react to situations, I stepped back and waited around until after 6pm when the place was cleared off,” she stated.
For some other people, the concern is not just about the gridlock and its ripple effect, but also about the psychological effect of the posture of security personnel in town.
For businessman Ibrahim Bah, who trades along Siaka Steven Street, the scene on every hearing brings back difficult memories.
“The police presence with all their weapons creates lots of tension in town. It always reminds me of the 11 years civil war in the country, which is not good for the health of especially elderly people like us who witnessed the war,” Bah said.
There have been growing calls for the venue of the hearing to be relocated. Many Sierra Leoneans have been expressing their concern on social media. The popular choice for a venue for many has been the Special Court compound.
A spokesman for the Sierra Leone Judiciary defended the level of security displayed during the hearings, citing the high profile nature of the case.
Moses Lamin Kamara, Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary, told Politico that although the inconvenience caused is regrettable, it’s necessary given the nature of the case and the person involved.
“Treason is the highest case that anybody could allegedly commit in a country, of all the capital crimes. The law court is the designated area which we think is appropriate in terms of security concerns of expeditious trial. We want to ensure that the lawyers, the judge, journalists, family members and all those who are partaking in that case are secured,” Kamara said.
He however noted that the nature of the presence of security personnel had to do with the police.
Police spokesman, Brima Kamara, when contacted by Politico, said they were just doing their job by providing security. While citing the high profile nature of the case, Kamara said if anything went bad as a result of inadequate security, they would be blamed.
“Treason is a high profile matter and because of this, we have to provide the required security,” he said.
He added: “I am sure [that] as we continue on the trial, some other adjustments are going to be made. But for now, we don’t have any alternative but to provide the kind of security we are providing.”
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