By Prince J Musa
The release of some 27 convicted “hard core” criminals has sparked tension in the eastern Kenema district where activists are calling for an explanation.
The prison authorities say they released the prisoners on the instructions of the judiciary which cited wrongful prosecution for its decision.
The convicted criminals are believed to belong to a clique and they were detained as a result of a police raid following a week-long criminal activities in the city.
Augustine Sannoh, Regional Chairman of the Civil Society Movement who is based in Kenema, expressed shock at the decision. Sannoh told Politico that they wanted explanation from the relevant officials concerned as they issue has left residents worried over their security.
"We need an explanation on that from the Chief Justice, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the correctional director," he said.
Mr Sannoh explained that recently Kenema was placed under siege due to the activities of criminal gangs who attacked ordinary citizens at entertainment centers and other places during evening hours. He cited the almost simultaneous attack on Kamboi Entertainment, Plaza and Karima centers, which prompted the police raid in which the boys were rounded up. Victims of the attacks reported losses of valuables that include phones and money.
The clique members were charged to court and subsequently sentenced to 20 months in prison.
According to Sannoh, since then residents of the city have had some peace of mind, until news of their release emerged.
“It has raised tension in the society and even endangers the lives of the police officers who arrested the gang members,” he said.
Emmanuel Alfred Hassan, spokesman for the Sierra Leone Correctional Center East, said they released the inmates on the instructions of their headquarters, which received orders from the office of the Chief Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution. He blamed the police for conducting wrong prosecution.
"Police did the wrong charges that led to their release," he said, noting that as an institution they only keep the inmates and don't have the authority to deny the order of the Chief Justice.
According to Hassan, the released inmates were charged for loitering, which by law attracts a sentence not more than 18 months. He said the police instead opted for more than the law prescribed.
But Assistant Inspector General of Police East, AIG Francis Nyuma Bundor, denied this. He told Politico that the error was on the part of the Magistrate.
"Police did the correct charges," AIG Bundor stated, explaining that for the offense of loitering, the law states that accused should be charged from 18 months and below, not above. He said the court decided to sentence the accused to twenty months.
But the Police AIG said they intended to re-arrest the boys and slam them with fresh charges. He also assured that they will ensure that sanity is restored in the municipality of Kenema and the region as whole.
© 2019 Politico Online
