By: Audrey Raymonda John
Lead defence counsel for the city Mayor, Denis Yvonne Aki Sawyer, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara has sought the Bench leave for adjournment in order for him to dock his remaining witnesses.
Mayor Aki Sawyer was investigated and charged to court for obstruction of Police Duty contrary to section 39 of the Police Act, 1964, Act No. 7, and Disorderly Behaviour contrary to Section 12(b) of the Public Order Act of 1965 as repealed and replaced by the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Act No. 15 of 1973.
It was stated on the police charge sheet that on Saturday 17th September, 2022 at the Airport Police Division in Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District, Mayor Aki Sawyer obstructed Detective Sergeant 7966, Richard Junior Caulker and Corporal 12225 Fanta Fofanah while executing their lawful duties.
Commencing with the matter, state prosecutor Yusif Issac Sesay, docked several witnesses including the cyber unit officer who produced his analysis in a power point presentation and further narrated the allegation of obstruction.
According to the report, the cyber Officer stated that the mayor was very hungry and aggressive during the alleged incident.
At the closure of the prosecution’s case, the City Mayor open her defense debunking the allegation of obstruction levied against her.
The second defense witness councilor Sheku Alhassan Gibril Sesay of ward 408 who doubles as chairman development and urban planning committee at the Freetown city Council took the witness stand defending the mayor.
Testifying on her defence, councilor Sesay said On 17the September 2022 he went with Yvonne Aki Sawyerr to the airport to travel to the United kingdom on an invitation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation when he heard his name announced through a public announce system in the early hours of the night.
He said he voluntarily went to respond, and upon arrival Chief Superintendent of Police James Foday who was introduced to him as the Local Unit Commander asked that he accompany him to the police station without any reason at that moment.
Councilor Sesay explained that his passport and phones were taken away from him by the local police head. He said he was refused the opportunity by the police upon request to make a call in order to inform the Mayor about his arrest.
At the conclusion of his testimony, he was cross examined by state prosecutor Yusif Issac Sesay.
During the presentation of the video footage, the name of the minister of local government Tamba Lamina and military personnel was mentioned and it was at that point the defence applied for them to be subpoenaed in order to cross checks the facts.
Rising from the bar shortly after the matter was mentioned yesterday by the court clerk, lead defence counsel Joesph Fitzgerald Kamara informed the Bench that before the last adjourned date, he granted subpoena access for their witnesses, the local government Minister Tamba Lamina and a military to come to court.
Defense counsel further explained that with regards to the second subpoena, he had information that he is attending another function.
He said they have to lead two witnesses before they declare the defence closed.
Defence counsel craved the Bench`s indulgence for another date to bring the two witnesses.
Responding to the defense, magistrate Marke Ngegba said on the last date defense counsel Melron Nicole Wilson informed him that they are coming with their witnesses.
He however granted the application and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 1st of March 2023.