By Francis H. Murray
Justice John Bosco Allieu has expressed disappointment over the way the police conduct investigations saying that sometimes their methods result in the violation of the human rights of accused person.
He described certain investigations as “inhumane” and in violation of the principle of fair trial and equal rights to justice and constitute direct abuse of the human rights of accused persons. The judge asked: “How could the police detain suspects and especially women in respect of any criminal investigation for three days without food and water?
He said “to believe that such an act still happens before our eyes is appalling. It violates the principle of fair trial and equal rights and justice.”
Justice Allieu was speaking during the testimony of two female prosecution witnesses in the murder trial of Khadija Saccoh. The witnesses told the court that they were kept in jail for about a month and forced to go without food and water for at least three days.
Justice Allieu said because the trial was being closely monitored by human rights activists, civil society organizations as well as the media, such evidence was detrimental to the country’s human rights gains and international reputation. “The evidence unfolding before this court is so upsetting to believe. That the police could detain people in the name of investigations for an alleged murder crime for close to a month without charging those suspects to court is so damaging to the country’s human right records,’’ he added.
He said every accused person or suspect is presumed innocent until otherwise proven guilty and therefore entitled to all the rights accorded them as prescribed by law, citing the fact that both suspect were not charged at the end of the day with no form of compensation for the treatment meted out to them while in detention.
Citing the tendency for certain powerful people in society to interfere with police investigation, Justice Allieu used the occasion to warn the police not to allow any form of interference when they conduct investigations because, according to him that was prejudicial to the principle of equality before the law and fair access to justice.
He said the police should consider professionalism and fairness as key ingredients in the execution of their duties in a democratic state.
State Counsel Joseph Abraham Sesay said that the police lack the appropriate equipment and personnel in respect of investigating certain cases, especially those involving close family members as suspects in an alleged offence.
He said for fear of interference with potential witnesses or other suspects, keeping such suspects in detention until the conclusion of investigations is the only way to get the job done in the interest of justice.
Mariama Sarjoh Barrie and Ibrahim Bah are alleged to have conspired to murder 5-year old Khadija whose death was reported on the 17th June 2020.
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