November 17, 2021
By Audrey John
Lawyer Dauda Laingay Bangura, Manager in the Law Enforcement Department National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), on Tuesday 16th November 2021, testify against the Former Headman of Peninsula Julius Amara for entering into the boundaries of the National Protected Area Authority.
In his testimony before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Court No 1, lawyer Dauda Lengay Bangura said, in July 2020, they got a report at the office that some people are on massive deforestation at the protected area around the peninsula. Upon that report, Management of NPAA including the Executive Director went to the scene. Reaching at the scene, he met people brushing and when asked in whose instructions and how they got into the land, there respond was it was the former Headman Julius Amara alias Sheik who told them to brush and build a house.
The witness further that himself and the Management went to the house of the headman but he was not around, but left message for him to come to the office at Congo town. Within 2 days the accused came alongside and 2 people, which he took them to the Executive Director.
Lawyer Bangura also said questions were out to the accused concerning the brushing/deforestation which he answered in the affirmative. So Police was called at Congo Cross for the arrest of the accused including the two others, but the accused shed tears and pleaded that he will not enter into the protected area, and he do the law will take its course, and the accused also make an undertaken that he will be an Ambassador now to protect the no go area according to the witness.
He also said, when the undertaken was made and signed by the accused, he was released. But within 2 weeks there is another complaint from there game guard that massive deforestation is ongoing and the accused was call upon but he did not show up.
But the accused was later arrested and kept at the OSD Headquarters which he made statement and the matter was charged. At the end of the testimony, the accused was sent to the male correctional center in Freetown, Inspector I. G Fofanah Prosecuting the matter adjourned to the 26th November 2021.