By: Audrey Raymonda John
Police Inspector Ishmael Kelfala, an operations officer attached to the Operations Support Department at the Police Headquarters, testified on Monday, 12 October 2026, before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah in the ongoing Kroo Town Road riot case.
Led in evidence by the Prosecution ASP Dalia Wellington, Inspector Kelfala identified the defendants in the dock and recalled the events of 13 September 2026, when the alleged riot occurred.
The witness told the court that at about 4:00 p.m. on the day in question, he received instructions from his superior to proceed to Kroo Town Road following reports of a serious riot in the area.
He said he immediately assembled a team of Public Order personnel, including Superintendent Kaiya, and proceeded towards the scene through Adelaide Street, where they encountered a group of people allegedly armed with bottles and stones.
According to Inspector Kelfala, the situation became tense as the officers approached the area. He said the group chased them at Adelaide Street before they proceeded towards Choithram Supermarket, where they attempted to engage the rioters and calm the situation.
However, he alleged that the group began pelting the officers with stones and bottles, prompting the police to make arrests.
The witness identified the first defendant, Foday Kargbo, as allegedly being in possession of an old flat-blade cutlass. He further testified that the second defendant, Daniel Morray, was allegedly holding a locally made cutlass, while the third defendant was reportedly found with an empty stout bottle.
Inspector Kelfala said that despite stones being thrown at the officers by other members of the group, he and his team managed to arrest the first eight defendants before taking them to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters.
He added that the team subsequently made a report, handed over the exhibits to the police, and provided statements in connection with the incident.
Cross-Examination
During cross-examination by lead defence counsel I. Sawaneh, Inspector Kelfala maintained that he had received instructions from Control One, his superior, to proceed to Kroo Town Road.
He further told the court that the individuals they encountered at Adelaide Street Junction were the same people they later met again at Kroo Town Road.
Police Exhibit Officer Testifies
In continuation of the proceedings, Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara, attached to the Exhibit Office at CID Headquarters, also testified before the court.
Sergeant Kamara explained that his duties included registering, keeping, safeguarding and producing exhibits received at the police station whenever they were required in court.
He recalled 15 September 2026, when Police Constable 15041 Konneh M., attached to the Central Police Station, handed over three items to him: an old flat-blade cutlass, a locally made cutlass with a black rubber handle, and an empty stout bottle.
The witness said he received and registered the exhibits in the court register under serial number 125/2026. He added that the items had remained in police custody since their registration.
The exhibits were subsequently tendered in court and admitted as part of the court records.
Charges Against the Defendants
The defendants are Foday Kargbo, Daniel Morray, Alusine Bah, Ibrahim Bangura, Ibrahim Mansaray, Mohamed Sesay, Musa Kamara, Byron Browne, Mohamed Sesay, Patrick Swarray and Bannister Samba.
They are facing four counts relating to the alleged riot, including carrying offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965; throwing missiles, contrary to Section 6 of the same Act; riotous conduct, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965, as repealed and replaced by Act No. 15 of 1973; and disorderly behaviour, contrary to Section 12 of the Act, as amended by Section 15 of Act No. 2 of 1973.
According to the particulars of the offences, the defendants allegedly carried offensive weapons in a public place at Kroo Town Road and its surrounding areas in the Western Area of Freetown on Sunday, 13 September 2026.
The second count alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, they threw missiles at combined operational police personnel.
The third and fourth counts respectively accused the defendants of engaging in riotous conduct and behaving in a disorderly manner.
Bail Application Refused
At the close of the proceedings, lead defence counsel I. Sawaneh adopted his previous bail application on behalf of all the defendants.
However, the application was refused by the magistrate.
The matter was adjourned to the 19 October 2026 for further evidence.