July 13, 2021
By Audrey John
The presiding magistrate of Pademba road court No1 Sahr Keikura has said in a firm mood that the prosecution cannot proffer other charges without inviting the accused to the police station.
He made the above confirmation in reply to a complaint made by defense counsel R.A.D Jones that his client Umar Mohammed Bah was restricted by the police few days after the court granted him bail.
The accused Umar Mohammed Bah is before the court for preliminary investigation on allegations of fraud and other related charges.
According to the charge sheet it was alleged that the accused Umar Mohammed Bah defraud the sum of eight million Leones entrusted to him for clearing a forty feet container and on vehicle owed by complainant Fatmata Kamara.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned on the 9th July,2021 for further hearing defense counsel R.A.D Jones informed the bench that after the accused was granted bail he was called over the weekend and told that a certain police officer at central police station has invited the accused in relation to the matter before the court.
Defense counsel R.A.D Jones further explained that the police said they have a witness with evidence of fact. He described the act as circumventing the order passed by the bench.
“My Lord the investigation starts at the police station if the court has granted bail they have no right restricting that bail. Because the matter is not in their hands”, defense counsel stated “they should not go and circumvent the order granted by the bench.”
Responding to defense counsel the prosecutor I.S Mansaray said the defense should not tell them how to conduct their case. He said the vehicle they are in court for was found in their possession and was brought from the accused.
Addressing the defense, magistrate Keikura said the prosecution cannot proffer charges without inviting the accused to the police station
“I believe they are investigation him on the issue of the vehicle but on different dimension”, the bench stated.
He ordered bench warrant for the accused and his sureties and adjourned the matter to the 14th July 2021.