By: Audrey Raymonda John
Prosecution witness (PW) 2, Detective Sergeant 8572 Isaa Kamara attached to the Exhibit Office at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown has tendered four placards, which was arrested by some of the protesters in Makeni Town on Wednesday 10th August 2022.
He highlighted his duties and responsibilities including registering all exhibits in the said office and produced them as and when needed.
PW2 continued that he could recall 13 August 2022, adding that he was on duty at the aforesaid police headquarters in Freetown, when Detective Sergeant Samai J. M attached to the aforementioned headquarters handed over to him two yellow, pink and white placards with inscription “Maada must go, handing over and taking over PPP” ” Bio must go PPP, must go, we wanted our country back, stopped the killings, we needed food and transportation is coast”
Sergeant Kamara said he registered the exhibits against serial number RCB 114 /2022, adding that since then they have been in his custody, which were produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
During cross examination by Defence Counsel Charles I. Williams, put it to the witness that the four placards were not handed over to him in respect of specific person, which he answered in the affirmative.
Prosecution witness (PW) 3, Detective Inspector Ibrahim Kabba Conteh attached Rogebeneh in Makeni Police Station as Operations Officer was led by State Counsel Issac Sesay.Mr Conteh said his duties and responsibilities are to save life and properties, maintained a total quietness and also responded to distress calls.
He said he could recall on Wednesday 10 August 2022, while on duty at the aforesaid police station, when Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Mathew Banya informed him that he had received a distress call, and also instructed him to call on the other police officers, who were around for briefing, which he did.
PW 3 furthered that he and a team of police officers headed by ASP Mathew Banya boarded on vehicle with registration number SLP 470 and left for Campbell Street, adding that upon their arrived at the said Street, he saw a large number of people shouting and chatting holding placards in the hands with inscription “Maada must go, we needed freedom handing over and taking over”
He said his Commanded in Chief, ASP Banya talked to the protesters to maintain the peace and asking them to return home, but they refused.
He said upon their refusal, ASP Banya instructed them to effect an arrest during the process, they apprehended first, eight and tenth accused and were taken to the station.
The witness said ASP Banya received another distress call from Banga Store, adding that they boarded the same vehicle and left for the crime scene.
‘Upon our arrival, Mr Banya talked to the protesters politely, but they insisted and they were shouting and chatting,’ Inspector Conteh narrated to the bench.
He said they arrested the three ,fourth, seventh, nineteen, eleventh and twelfth accused and took them to the police station.
He said ASP Banya received another distress call from Lunsar Road and that team of police officers left for Lunsar Road and when they arrived at the crime scene, he said most of the protesters were females shouting and chatting holding placards.
Inspector Conteh said the nineteen accused was naked and was confronting ASP Banya, but he instructed her to return home and wore clothes, but she refused.
Consequently, he said the sixteen, nineteen accused were arrested by his commanded and took them to the police station.
After few seconds, he went on that his commanded received another distress call from at Station Road in Makeni’s Clothe Tower where the protesters were shouting and chatting saying that “Maada must go” and seventeen, eighteen were subsequently arrested with four placards, which were also produced and tendered in evidence.
The accused Alfred Fornah, Janiffa Sesay, Mohamed Koroma, Aminata Sesay, Fatmata Sesay Kadiatu Koroma and nine others appeared before the court on two counts of riotous conduct and disorderly behaviour contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
It was alleged by the police that the accused, on Wednesday 10 August ,2022 at Makeni North East Region were behaving in a riotous conduct and disorderly manner.
Defence Counsel Charles I. William cross examined the witness on behalf of the accused.
The accused were denied bail and remanded at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to Wednesday 19th October 2022
