August 9, 2021
By Audrey John
Ansu Sesay, Abubakarr Bangura, Abdul Aziz Koroma, Victoria Bangura and Moses Nyuma has on the 5th August,2021 made another appearance before magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court in Freetown on five counts charges.
All accused persons are charged for Trespass contrary to section 15 (1)(b) of the public order Act No.46 of 1965, Malicious damage contrary to section 51 of the malicious damage Act 1861, Deforestation contrary to section 40 of the state land Act of 1960, Being in possession of an offensive weapon contrary to section 16 (1) of the public order Act No.46 of 1965 and Riotous conduct contrary to section 12 of the public order Act No.46 of 1965 as amended by section 12 (a) Act No.15 of 1973.
It’s was alleged that on the 26th June 2021 at No.2 Rule the western Area in Freetown all accused persons were found unlawfully entering into a state land having been warned and maliciously damaged two hundred and twenty six Beacon- combined valued twelve million four hundred and thirty thousand Leones (12,430,000) property of the Ministry of Land Housing and Country Planning. The charge also states that they deforested two hundred Acres of state land without license or legal permit and the fourth accused persons was found in possession of offensive weapon to wit a cutlass without legal authority and behave in a Riotous manner.
First Prosecution witness Sergeant 7824 Sandi Bundu attached to the Anti- Land grabbing CID headquarter said he recognized all accused persons and recalled on the 26th June 2021 that he was on duty when the directors of surveys and Lands came and reported a matter of Land grabbing.
The witness further stated that all accused persons were found trespassing on state land while harm with offensive weapons. He said on the same date DPC 13525 Festus Foday Kargbo cautioned and questioned the first accused person, inspector F. Jabbati took statements from the second accused person, inspector Edward Issa cautioned the third accused person and DPC 13906 Koroma MW cautioned the fifth accused person and they signed all caution statements by afflicting his right hand thumb print witness by him.
Lawyer representing the accused person C.Pujeh renewed his application for bail pursuant to section 79 sub sections 2 of the Criminal procedure Act of 1965.
Magistrate Ngegba granted bail to the third accused person in the sum of forty million Leones two sureties in like sum one must be gainfully employed; sureties must produce identity card to be approved by the DAR. Inspector Amie Korio prosecuting, while the matter has been adjourned to the 18th August 2021.