By Abass Jalloh
The Prosecution in the ongoing matter between the State and the Freetown Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has submitted a written a no- case in response to the defense’s own written no case submission in the matter.
On Monday December 12 at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, after Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay had submitted the document to the bench, Magistrate Mark Ngegba stated that he would give a ruling on the said submissions on the next adjourned date, 23rd December 2022.
Lawyer Melron Nicol-Wilson, who appeared for the mayor on behalf of the lead defense lawyer, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, told the court that he was informed by Lawyer Kamara to add an oral submission to the written no case submission.
Earlier in the hearing, the prosecution and the defense teams expected to do oral submissions in addition to the written no case as agreed, later decided to go only by the latter as they believed “there will be no difference between the two”.
The prosecution led in evidence four witnesses to testify in proving their case against the mayor who has always been putting on her usual smile in the dock.
Lawyer Kamara did not make it to court on Monday because he was bereaved, according to Lawyer Nicol-Wilson.
Mayor Aki Sawyer is before the court to answer to two counts charges of Obstruction of Police Duty, and Disorderly Behaviour.
Court records show that the mayor on Saturday 17th September 2022 at the Airport Police Division in Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District, obstructed Detective Sergeant 7966, Richard Junior Caulker and Corporal 12225 Fanta Fofanah, while executing their lawful duties.
On Wednesday November 2nd at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, the witness (Jusu), attached to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown, presented and played a video which allegedly depicts disorderly behaviour on the part of the mayor.
She was seen on a video looking livid and saying one of her councillors she were to travel with to the United States had been taken in for questioning by the Police.
Councillor Sheku Turay nicknamed ‘Ice T’ was interrogated for alleged involvement in the August 10 violent anti- government protests which left six police officers and some 26 civilians dead.
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