By Francis Murray
Defence lawyers for the leader of the National Democratic Alliance Party Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, who is standing trial for conspiracy and sexual penetration, have said that they are filing an appeal against the judge's ruling to try their client by judge alone.
In his submission on Wednesday before Justice Samuel O. Taylor at the sexual offenses division of the High Court in Freetown, lawyer Amadu Koroma noted that they were ''vehemently'' opposed to the ruling of the trial judge to try their client by judge alone, reversing his earlier ruling in favor of trial by judge.
Lawyer Koroma said his client has opted to be tried by his peers considering the seriousness of the indictment and urged the court to give the defence team the opportunity to file their paperwork at the Court of Appeal.
State prosecutor Umu Sumaray expressed dissatisfaction over what she described as an attempt by the defense to frustrate her efforts, adding that the appeal will be against the principle of speedy trial which is the mandate of the sexual offenses court.
Lead defense lawyer for the first accused Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai said they didn’t want to stay the proceedings of the High Court as a result of the appeal saying that the trial should continue speedily until the Court of Appeal reaches a decision.
It was agreed by both the prosecution and the defense that the trial should continue while the paperwork for the Court of Appeal is done. The matter is adjourned to today.
The prosecution alleges that Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray and Marion Harouni on the 14 February 2020, in Kono, Eastern Region of the country conspired with other persons unknown to commit an offense of sexual penetration of a child.
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