By Mohamed Foday Conteh
An accused Mohamed Kamara has on Monday 5 July 2021 appeared before Justice Musu Kamara at the Freetown High Court No.1 on a robbery with aggravation charge. The man who had no legal representation was alleged to have wielded a stick during stealing of a motorbike valued at Le 9,700,000 belonging to one Mohamed Kamara.
He was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony with other unknown persons, and robbery with aggravation, contrary to section 23 subsection 1 paragraph A of the Larceny Act of 1916, as amended.
When asked by the Judge the reasons for his lack of legal representation, Kamara told the court that he never got the opportunity to see a lawyer. He said both his parents had passed away but he has relatives.
Justice Kamara informed him of the seriousness of the crime and advised that a legal representative could assist in limiting the gravity of the offence to just robbery. She said that she was ready to wait for the accused to have a representation, preferably before the next adjourned date.
In a separate matter in the same court, George Alpha Foday, who is accused of larceny in a dwelling house appeared before the same judge.
Foday, again, had no legal representation in court to represent him. Foday narrated to the judge that he too does not have access to a lawyer and that he has no relatives except for a brother that lives at Fourah Bay College.
Police Officers PC 13245 Kamara I., and DPC Alieu S. attached to the Anti-Robbery Unit Ross Road Police Station and Criminal Investigation Unit Shell Police Post, respectively, were present in court as prosecution witnesses. Both officers had testified at the lower court.
The Legal Aid Board has been rendering services to persons that cannot afford legal representation.
Both cases were adjourned to the 19th of July 2021.
Copyright © 07/07/21 Politico Online
