July 13, 2021
By: Francis F.M. Harding
The accused persons Nabieu Issa Bangura, Michael Alpha, Sheriff Jalloh, and Hon. Emmanuel Saidu Conteh a parliamentarian of the opposition APC have appeared before Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Court No 1 in Freetown on the 12th July, 2021 at the Pademba Court for an alleged case of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal importation of arms and ammunition and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition all contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone.
According to police charge sheets, the accused persons are charge with three counts charges. It is alleged in count one that the accused persons on the 22nd April, 2021 and the 2nd July, 2021 in the judicial district in the western area of Freetown conspired to commit a felony to wit illegal importation of arms and ammunition.
It is alleged in count two that the accused persons on the 22nd April, 2021 and the 2nd July, 2021 in the western area without the valid licenses imported arms and ammunition into Sierra Leone. It is alleged in count three that the accused persons on the 22nd April, 2021 and the 2nd July, 2021 at Queen Elizabeth II quay Cline Town Freetown were found with illegal possession of four JA industries 4C with serial number 456095, 455957456414 and 456027 all 919 MM pistol with empty magazines, two in the western area which Hi- model C9 with serial number P10111163 and P10117346 919 MM Pistol and empty magazines, one black SAKA 919 MM rubber pistol with serial number T1102-21B154774 and two magazines and one hundred (100) live 919 mm cartridges without valid license or lawful authority used of reasonable excuse.
After the clerk has read the charges to them a plea was taken by the all accused persons.
ASP I.S. Mansaray representing the State while Lawyer J.M. Jengo appeared for the first accused person, Lawyers L. Dumbuya, A.S Sesay, D.S Kamara, S. Bah, S.A Conteh, D. Barrie, J.B.S. Sesay, Z. Kamara and E.W. Conteh appeared for the second accused person, while Lawyer Bettal for the third and fourth accused persons.
When pleading for bail, Lawyer Dumbuya on behalf of all accused persons said that the offenses committed by all the accused persons are serious offences.
He continued that the second accused person is a seating honorable of the House of representative, and said that the affidavit does not conform to the bail regulations of 2018. He said that the prosecutor should be cross examined for not proceeding with their witness for the first day.
He said second, third and fourth accused persons are ordinary residents in the western area and the first accused person has a fixed residence. He said all accused persons are responsible citizens, and the first, third and fourth accused persons are all gainfully employed.
He continued to say that the second, third and fourth accused persons are happily married while the first accused person is about to take his bride to the altar.
When the prosecutor was objecting to bail, ASP I.S. Mansaray said he relied on what he has given to the bench and the defense team. Magistrate Sahr Keikura refused bail.
The matter has been adjourned to the 14th July, 2021.