By: Audrey Raymonda John
Police Constable Samuel Nabieu Bangura attached to the Magboraka police station has told the court that his boss Gabriel Tommy was threatening by Hon. Mohamed Bangura, Samura Matthew Kamara and other All People’s Congress Members.
Hon. Mohamed Bangura and Yeabom Sesay are before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 on counts of Riotious, conduct, threatening language, public insult behavior, assault on police, among other charged.
It was alleged on the charge sheet that on the 11th June 2022 at Mathora Village, Khalifa Rowala Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District the North East Region of Sierra Leone assaulted inspector General of police Gabriel G.M.T Tommy whilst in due execution of his lawful duties on; count two at the same place and date the accused persons did use insulting words to the annoyance of the said Gabriel Tommy in order to provoke him to commit the breach of the peace; count three the accused persons did wrongfully and without legal authority intimidate the said Gabriel Tommy by threatening to hit him with his vehicle; count four the accused persons behaved in a riotous manner and on count five the accused persons obstructed assistant Inspector General of police Gabriel Tommy whilst in due execution of his lawful duties
The charges were read and explained to the accused persons and they pleaded not guilty.
Led by state counsel YI Sesay, the witness police constable Samuel Nabieu Bangura identified a maroon vehicle that was parked at the Criminal Investigation Department. It was tendered as exhibit H which was registered with CR number 128/2022.
Explaining further police constable Samuel Nabieu Bangura stated on the 26th June of a reply from the cybercrime officer was handed over to them. It was identified as exhibit Y1 to 2.
The witness said on the 26th and 29th August 2022, he finally charged both accused person as per the offense.
He also produced, and tendered the charge statement of first accused as exhibit J one and two and the charge statement of the second accused as exhibit J one to three.
In cross examination by defense counsel Lansana Dumbuya, the witness said the latter on the correspondence before him is specifically for the first accused who is the Honorable Member of Parliament and others.
Looking at the document, the witness confirmed that there was no evidence of assault addressed to the speaker of Parliament.
When question about other correspondences, the witness replied that a reminder letter was sent back to the speaker for the release of the other Honorable members who suppose to visit the CID.
Looking at exhibit G one to twenty seven statement of first accused Mohamed Bangura, the witness said it was alleged that he conspired with Matthew Samura Kamara, Usman Foday Yansaneh and others to commit crime at Bumbuna.
The witness told the court in cross examination that when they put the allegation, first accused denied it.
Cross examination was on going when the witness seek for protection from the Bench saying one of the defense counsel is threatening him. Lead defense counsel Lansana Dumbuya denied having knowledge of that, but state counsel YI Sesay asked the Bench to take note of the complaint made by his witness .
The witness said the accused told him it was in the process of dialogue with AIG Tommy that they pass through the check point. He said apart of Gabriel Tommy, the first accused told them that they called the ONS Boss informing him that they hard a meeting with the All People’s Congress Political Party. The witness said the date of the alleged incident was the day the APC suppose to do their rally.
The witness further explained that at the time the incident happen the vice president Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh was at Sambaia Bendugu and there was block aid that no one should use that axis because they may not tell what the APC supporters will do.
The witness agreed in cross examination that there was a calender slated by NEC for the APC to do their rallies.
The said the check point was open by a certain police officer whose name was not mentioned. The police witness said it was alleged by complainant that first accused threatening to kill him.
The witness confirmed that first accused told then that on the date of the rally there was no confusion, he said the vice president even came down from his convoy and talk to them.
Upon reaching that point, state counsel said in the interests of justice defence counsel should show the page and paragraph he is taking the cross examination.
“My boss Gabriel Tommy was hit in the stomach”, the witness narrated.
Counsel for the second accused Brima Koroma Esq commenced cross examination but requested an adjourned date.
