By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Justice Sulaiman Bah has threatened to issue a contempt of court order against Correctional Officer John Ketika at High Court no. 2. of Sierra Leone on the 19th May 2021.
The judge was furious at the officer whom he had instructed in the last hearing to ensure that the second accused Abubakarr Dumbuya alias Rambo be taken to hospital for treatment, had apparently ignored doing so. And at the trial of Mohamed Conteh (deceased) and Abubakarr Dumbuya alias Rambo in which larceny and receiving stolen property charges were slammed, it was observed by the judge that the appearance of Dumbuya still bore traits of ill health.
The first accused was said to have died in prison and the second accused person dressed in khaki trousers with white polo shirt and unkempt beard, appeared with puffy cheeks. Justice Bah recognized him from the previous sitting and enquired as to whether he had seen a doctor as he had ordered officer Ketika Dumbuya said he had not seen a doctor and instead took out a white quarter pint plastic bottle containing tablets from a black polythene bag.
Responding to the judge, officer Ketika said that accused persons are taken to hospital only when they complain of illness. The judge warned the officer of a likely charge of contempt of court should his instruction for medical care for the accused was not heeded before the next court appearance.
Justice Bah immediately also instructed the officer to ensure that the death certificate of the first accused be presented at the next hearing of the case which was adjourned to the 31st May, 2021.
The state was represented by Andrew F. Kamara and the defense by Morrison Karimu of Legal Aid Board.
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