By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 61-year-old nurse, Jaka Kakay, has been fined a total of NLe1,500 after pleading guilty to three charges in connection with an alleged riotous conduct case before Magistrate John Manso Fofanah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown.
Kakay was jointly charged with Abdulai Kargbo, an aluminium technician; Sakceleb Suluku; Alpha Seray, a labourer; Tejan Magao, a disc jockey; and Osman Kamara. The six accused are facing four counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, riotous conduct, incitement, and malicious damage.
According to the charge sheet, the first count alleges that on 18 March 2026, at No. 2 Yusifu Drive, Vai S.S. Camp, Regent Village, Freetown, the accused conspired with other persons unknown to commit the offence of riotous conduct.
The second count states that, on the same date and at No. 3 Yusifu Drive, Vai S.S. Camp, Regent Village, the accused conducted themselves in a riotous manner, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965, as repealed and replaced by Act No. 15 of 1973.
The third count alleges that Jaka Kakay and Abdulai Kargbo incited their co-accused Sakceleb Suluku, Alpha Seray, Tejan Magao, and Osman Kamara—to engage in riotous conduct.
The fourth count accuses Sakceleb Suluku, Alpha Seray, Tejan Magao, and Osman Kamara of maliciously damaging an XBT mobile phone valued at Le6,000, belonging to Genevieve Caulker, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861.
During the proceedings, defence counsel informed the court that Kakay was outside the jurisdiction but had instructed her legal representative to enter guilty pleas on her behalf to the first three counts. The plea was submitted in writing.
In response, the prosecutor informed the court that Kakay was a first-time offender.
In her plea in mitigation, defence counsel urged the court to exercise leniency, stating that the accused is 61 years old and suffers from serious health challenges that would make it difficult for her to continue with the proceedings. Counsel further submitted that Kakay had accepted responsibility for her actions, had no previous criminal record, and had been a law-abiding citizen. She therefore appealed for the minimum possible fine.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Fofanah said he had carefully considered both the plea in mitigation and the nature of the offences.
He imposed a fine of NLe500 on each of the first three counts, bringing the total fine to NLe1,500, payable immediately. In default of payment, Kakay is to serve six months’ imprisonment, comprising two months on each count. The court ordered that the custodial sentence would take effect upon her return to jurisdiction if the fine remains unpaid.
The case was adjourned to 20 July 2026 for the continuation of the prosecution’s case, when Prosecution Witness Two (PW2) is expected to testify.