By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Hassan Marrah, an ex-military personnel appeared at the Pademba Road Magistrate court on 13 July 2021on allegations of disorderly behaviour during a protest at the headquarters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
Marrah was arraigned on three counts including disorderly behaviour, riotous conduct and assault on police contrary.
Superintendent Saidu Kargbo of the Operational Support Division (OSD), said in court that the accused was seen with a chain prior to the arrival of Dr. Prince Harding, Chairman of the SLPP. He said that his presence there on the 29th June 2021 was based on an order by Chief Superintendent of Police Dr .Martin Senessie for police presence at the alleged crime scene because the SLPP were to have a programme on that said date.
Kargbo said that prior to the arrival of the chairman of the SLPP, the mood was already high and that he deployed his men at the said location immediately. He added that when the chairman arrived, he was pelted with water that splashed all over his body and that forced him and his men to cordon the area for safe passage of the chairman who dashed into the party office with other party officials. He added that it was also during this process that he saw the accused person with a chain in his hands. Kargbo said that he had ordered an officer to seize the accused but that he, the accused, went on to wrestle with and assault police officer 15549 Kamara.
Kargbo said that the accused was later arrested at the back of the party headquarters although he resisted initially.
During cross examination by defence counsel, Ibrahim Bangura, Kargbo confirmed that the accused was seen with a chain . He said that he could not identify who splashed the water at the Chairman of the party.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba granted bail of Le 40 million with a surety in Freetown. The matter was adjourned for the 7th August 2021.
Meanwhile, one Allieu Katta was also arraigned in the same court on issues related to the arrest of Marrah.
Katta is arraigned in court for obstruction contrary to section 39(2) of the Public Order Act No.7 of 1964. The charge alleged that on the 29h June 2021 at the Kingtom Hospital in Freetown, Katta obstructed police constables 10198 Amara and 11186 Koroma AD while on duty at the said hospital.
During his testimony, prosecution witness Police officer Amara Augustine told the court that the accused had obstructed them while on duty to return Marrah, back to the CID after treatment for injuries incurred from the protest at the SLPP headquarters. Amara said that the accused and some other unknown persons blocked their path with a car with a registration number AOA 727. He said that the accused demanded that they either release Marrah or continue to admit him to the said hospital.
Amara said that he called for reinforcement from Central Police Station and CID Headquarters. He said that he took photos with his Tecno Spark 3 mobile phone during the time of the standoff. He presented the photos to the court as evidence.
During cross-examination by Ibrahim Bangura, Amara denied confirmed that the accused was with them when Marrah was being taken to the said hospital for treatment. He confirmed that the accused was not with a weapon at the time of the alleged incident.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba granted a Le40 million bail with a surety in Freetown for Katta as he adjourned the matter to the 7th August 2021 for another prosecution witness to testify.
Copyright © Politico Online (14/07/21)
